Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 492: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 352, 353 and 354 of 27 May 2008, if his Department has completed the compilation of the database on the number of prefabricated buildings in use at all primary and post-primary schools here; if so, the number of schools both primary and secondary in County Clare using prefabs for classrooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33615/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has surveyed almost 900 primary schools across the country regarding their use of rented prefabricated accommodation and is in the process of compiling this information. The information gathered will be used to produce a database of information on rented prefabricated accommodation 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.

My Department has also undertaken an assessment of the rental of temporary accommodation with a view to identifying the point at which purchase of such accommodation provides better value for money than rental. As a result of this assessment, my Department now has a policy of purchasing temporary accommodation where the need for this is likely to last for more than three years. When the information from the survey on rental of prefabricated accommodation is complete I will write to the Deputy with the relevant information.