Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 413: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount of school-going children in County Laois educated in prefabs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18214/08]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 414: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of prefabs that comprise part of school facilities in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18215/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 413 and 414 together.

My Department is currently working on compiling a database which will provide the type of information the Deputy has requested. Work on this database is underway as part of a general review of rental policy being undertaken.

Information will be collated on approximately 900 schools which have received approval from the Department to rent temporary accommodation, including but not limited to prefabs.

This will be used to produce a database of information which will be maintained on an ongoing basis and will inform my Department's future decision-making in this area. This work is well advanced and I anticipate it will be completed shortly.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when he will be making a capital allocation for the building programme of a school (details supplied); when the school authorities, including the board of management and principal will be informed; the length of time he expects the construction period to last; the length of time he envisages that the school will continue to use prefab buildings; his views on the school planning more prefabs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18240/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department has agreed a long-term plan for the development of the school referred to by the Deputy. A proposed Schedule of Overall Accommodation for the school was recently sent to the school authorities for their consideration and the Department is currently awaiting a reply in this regard.

The Department is also in the process of arranging a technical site visit to the school and will be in contact with the school authorities further on this matter shortly.

The Department has sanctioned the provision of additional temporary accommodation for this school to cater for its immediate accommodation needs pending the provision of additional permanent accommodation. The decision regarding the provision of permanent accommodation for this school will be made in the context of the School Building and Modernisation programme.