Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I am disappointed with the Minister of State's response in that the cost of renting prefabs year on year represents an approach that is penny-wise but pound-foolish. If the school authority has to continue to operate from prefabs for another ten years, that would represent a further €600,000 plus in rent down the drain. That is the net point.

When the school authority was given the go ahead for the project and a site was secured with some difficulty, I was extremely disappointed that the local authority, for no great reason, refused planning permission for it. That caused further frustration when project should have been progressing.

I hope the Minister of State will convey to his senior Minister my frustration and disappointment that this school project is being long-fingered. It is not economically viable that substantial funds should be paid for the renting of prefabs that are not conducive or appropriate to good education for teachers, children or their parents.