Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

At a meeting last week of the Joint Committee on Education and Science, Mr. Dónal Ó Conaill, representing gaelscoileanna, listed seven schools that receive from the Department between €45,000 and €186,000 per annum for rent. This is taxpayers' money. An average of €120,000 per annum is spent on prefabs.

While the Government speaks of accountability and transparency, these schools have no notion of their position on the schools building list. When they do find out, it matters little as commitments are not met. I ask that the Minister when responding clarify delivery time for a band 1 and band 2 school. The Government must set aside annual funding for school buildings. While I acknowledge there is investment in this area, it is not enough.

I propose that the Minister examine a new development in school buildings, namely, the construction of modular buildings as a means of filling the urgent need for decent schools.