I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 181 together.
My Department does not hold information centrally on purchased prefabs previous to 2008. Since 2008 14 mainstream prefabs classrooms have been purchased by schools in Co Kerry. For the Deputy's information, I am supplying two tables relating to rented prefabs in schools in Co. Kerry. Table 1 provides details of schools currently renting prefabs. Table 2 provides details of schools that have been selected for consideration under the Department's rented prefab replacement imitative.
The criteria used by my Department to select schools for consideration were:
Prefabs must be rented for a minimum period and be required for the long term i.e. any major project for the school is unlikely to be completed in the short to medium term or if it is, construction of the new classrooms will not hinder the extension and will reduce the scope of works required.
School site must be sufficiently large to accommodate construction of permanent build while continuing to use rented prefabs and that site must not be rented.
Permanent accommodation should be stand alone.
The average rental cost for one mainstream classroom unit currently stands at c. €14k per annum with site works costing an average €22,000. The cost of site works will vary from school to school, depending on site conditions at each school. Responsibility for maintenance of rented prefab and ensuring that rented accommodation meets the requirements of health and safety standards lies with the prefab provider and the Board of Management in the case of purchased prefabs.
In relation to the provision of additional accommodation generally a change in policy implemented by my Department is to provide devolved grant aid for the purchase (rather than rental) of additional accommodation where the need for such accommodation is likely to exist for more than 3 years. Furthermore, since July 2008, it is also policy to offer schools being approved for devolved grant aid for additional accommodation the option to use their capital grant aid to build a permanent classroom(s) rather than purchase a prefab. An amount of €100,000.00 (inclusive of VAT and Fees) per mainstream classroom is provided under this Scheme.
Table 1
Schools Currently Renting Prefab Units in Co. Kerry
|
Roll No.
|
School Name
|
Town/Townland
|
No. of prefab units
|
02849C
|
Kenmare BNS
|
Kenmare
|
1
|
03132I
|
Sliabh A’Mhadra NS
|
Ballyduff
|
1
|
04062S
|
Listowel Convent PS
|
Listowel
|
1
|
07841L
|
Kilgobnet N S
|
Killarney
|
1
|
08320L
|
St. Clare’s GNS
|
Kenmare
|
1
|
09708T
|
Scoil Mhuire
|
Knocknagoshel
|
1
|
13615L
|
Scoil Eoin
|
Tralee
|
1
|
15592M
|
Scoil Cheann Trá
|
Tralee
|
1
|
16217O
|
Scoil Bhreac Chluain
|
Annascaul
|
1
|
16898S
|
SN Breandan Naofa
|
Tralee
|
1
|
17915U
|
Freastogail Mhuire Mixed NS
|
Abbeydorney
|
1
|
18247K
|
CBS Tralee
|
Tralee
|
8
|
18702I
|
Spa NS
|
Tralee
|
1
|
19448C
|
Scoil Realt na Mara
|
Tuosist
|
1
|
19487M
|
Holy Cross Mercy NS
|
Killarney
|
1
|
19512I
|
St. Oliver’s NS
|
Killarney
|
7
|
19547E
|
St. Francis Spec School
|
Beaufort
|
1
|
20013U
|
GS Lios Tuathail
|
Listowel
|
1
|
61410N
|
Presentation Secondary School
|
Milltown
|
1
|
Table 2
Schools in Co. Kerry being considered for rented prefab initiative
|
Roll No.
|
School
|
Address
|
03132I
|
Sliabh A’Mhadra NS
|
Slievadara, Ballyduff, Co. Kerry
|
13615L
|
Scoil Eoin
|
Ballonagh, Tralee, Co. Kerry
|
19547E
|
St. Francis Special School
|
Beaufort, Co. Kerry
|