John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the schools and the number of classroom units within each school in the Mayo constituency area that are availing of accommodation under the temporary accommodation scheme; the average rental cost of each unit per annum in tabular from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3694/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Details of the schools in Co. Mayo renting temporary accommodation are given in the following tabular statement. The average annual rental cost per unit in 2007 was €8127. This information was compiled following a survey of schools regarding their use of temporary accommodation.

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. It will continue to be necessary for prefabricated accommodation to be provided because competing priorities mean that it will not always be possible to have a permanent accommodation solution in place in a short time-frame. My Department will continue to provide funding for such prefabricated accommodation and the decision on whether to rent or purchase will depend on the likely length of time it will be required. In all cases, the approach will be to ensure best value for money.