Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 507: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the schools and the number of classroom units within each school in the Louth constituency area that are availing of accommodation under the temporary accommodation scheme; the average rental cost of each unit per annum in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5896/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Details of the schools in Co. Louth renting temporary accommodation are given in the attached tabular statement. The average annual rental cost per unit is €13,160. From the information provided the Deputy will see that there were a total of 77 prefabricated units rented by 31 schools.

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.

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 508: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a proposed extension to a school (details supplied) in County Cork. [6025/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is at an early stage of architectural planning.

The progression of all large-scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered 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 further progression of the project at this time.