Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I join Deputy Byrne in welcoming the announcement of the €35 million to be put in place to replace temporary substandard accommodation or prefabs. The news story is that teachers, schools and boards of management have been calling for this type of approach for years because it makes sense. One can spend €50,000 or €100,000 per year on renting a prefab and one is paying rent to infinity. Now, the Minister will put this money into bricks and mortar. This will provide a better facility for schools and money and jobs in the short term in the hard-pressed construction sector. I understand this will work as a devolved grant. This should give more choice to get better value for money for boards of management. This is a creditworthy decision and I welcome it.

I wish to digress to a matter which is topical where I come from, that is, rural schools.

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