John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 755: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the annual outlay on rental of pre-fabricated school buildings in County Mayo; if this is considered to be a cost-effective method of providing school accommodation by comparison with permanent school buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11688/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Comprehensive information is held on individual school files; however, my Department does not yet have these details available in a format that provides readily accessible cumulative information on the overall position regarding temporary accommodation. This issue is, however, being addressed as part of a general review of rental policy being undertaken. Information is being collated on schools which have received approval from the Department for temporary accommodation. It will be used to produce a database of information which will be maintained on an ongoing basis and I will ensure the Deputy receives the information sought relating to Co. Mayo once it is available.

In addition to developing a database, the review of rental policy will involve the development of new procedures for both short-term rental and purchase and a drawdown contract for supply and installation of temporary accommodation on a regional basis. Existing rental contracts will also be investigated with a view to establishing if there is potential for better value for money.

The Deputy will be aware that demand for additional accommodation in schools has risen significantly over the last number of years, with the appointment of 6,000 extra teachers in the primary sector alone since 2002. Against this background, the Department has nonetheless managed to keep expenditure on temporary accommodation low and last year rental costs only amounted to 5% of the total investment in school buildings.

Where accommodation is needed at short notice, however, a temporary solution can be the only option. Such accommodation may also be used where the need is short term, such as when a school requires a temporary building while it is awaiting the completion of construction of permanent facilities. However, the emphasis will continue to be on providing permanent accommodation where possible.

This year more than €586 million will be invested in school buildings and construction work will take place which is expected to provide permanent accommodation for approximately 20,000 pupils when complete. In the past, newly recognised schools have generally been required to open in temporary accommodation. I am anxious to move away from this approach in developing areas and this year my Department is working hard to open as many new schools as possible in permanent accommodation.

Department officials have been working in partnership with local authority staff to acquire sites needed for new schools next September. The aim, where possible, is to put permanent solutions in place on a phased basis to meet the immediate September 2008 needs, with a second phase to follow as required. Permanent solutions will be possible where a long-term site has been secured. The Deputy will be pleased to learn that this ambitious programme is on target.