Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 692: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the safeguards her Department has in place to ensure value for money criteria are adhered to in the purchase of prefabs for schools awaiting sanction for permanent classrooms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22158/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department monitors the cost limits for all school building projects on an ongoing basis, taking into account factors such as current conditions in the construction industry, published cost indices for labour and materials and movements in tender levels. Account is also taken of historical data on tender prices and changes arising from adjustments to school planning guidelines. In addition, the standard guidelines relating to public procurement are followed and the competitive element involved in the tendering process also ensures value for money.

The current focus within my Department is to empower schools to resolve their accommodation needs, wherever possible, in a permanent manner rather than relying on temporary accommodation. In order to reduce the amount of temporary accommodation at primary level a new initiative was launched in 2003. Its purpose is to allow primary schools to undertake a permanent solution to their classroom accommodation needs and to achieve the best value for money. The feedback from the 20 schools in this pilot of the initiative was positive and the initiative was expanded to include 44 additional primary schools in 2004. Over 70 schools have been invited to participate in this initiative in 2005.