Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 639: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress regarding a school (details supplied) in County Cavan; if he will justify a cost of up to €1 million for the rental and provision of portakabins at this school over a number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26718/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The process of appointing a design team to the school building project referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage. The advancement of all large scale building projects from initial design stage through to construction phase, including this project, will considered on an on-going basis in the context of my Department's Multi-Annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of these projects at this time.

The Deputy will appreciate that my Departments preference would be to provide permanent accommodation for the school. However, in the light of the rapid growth in enrolments and competing demands on the budget it was necessary to approve temporary accommodation to enable the school to meet the demand for pupil places pending the provision of a permanent extension.