Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2010
529 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the budgetary impact on her Department arising from the recent transfer of functions between Departments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20178/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe budgetary details to be incorporated into the 2010 Amended Revised Estimates are being finalised at present with a view to them being placed before the house shortly.
530 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the amount spent by her Department on buying out existing prefab rental contracts to date; the duration of each contract involved; when the contracts were originally agreed and the projected cost of buying out further rental contracts in 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20179/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date my Department has spent €2.5m on buying out rental contracts for prefabs. The oldest rental contract purchased to date is 1995 with the most recent being 2008.
As the Deputy is aware, the review of policies and procedures for the provision of temporary classroom accommodation is well underway.
The review incorporates the development of standard specifications for temporary accommodation, the development of new contractual terms to incorporate buy-out and relocation options to cater for individual local circumstances and appropriately protect the interests of the Department and school authorities. Another strand of the review is negotiations with prefab suppliers to buy out existing rental contracts or reductions in annual rent, as appropriate. An initial group of 46 schools with rented prefabricated accommodation has been identified for priority negotiations with suppliers to buy out existing rental contracts.
The focus of this review is the development and adoption of practical measures and policies to achieve best value for money in the area of temporary accommodation in schools. The selection criteria for buy-out options have identified schools where lengthy rental contracts exist. However value for money is not achieved with this approach alone. Schools have been identified for buy-out of prefabs where newer rental contracts exist in circumstances where the least value for money is evident. Negotiations are on-going with a number of prefab suppliers and as soon as these negotiations are completed additional rental contracts will be bought out during 2010.
