Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the average rental cost to his Department of temporary and prefabricated classrooms; the amount spent by his Department in 2008 on temporary accommodation; if in view of the downturn in the economy, he will negotiate a lower rental charge on such properties in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8373/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The average annual rental cost of a temporary-prefabricated classroom works out at €15,428. As the Deputy will appreciate, the cost per unit will vary significantly depending on the size, type and age of each unit. The amount spent on the rental of temporary accommodation for 2008 was almost €53m.

My Department provides grant aid towards the provision of temporary school accommodation to the management authorities of education providers where it is established that a need for such temporary accommodation exists. Generally, where schools require temporary accommodation, the Board of Management is responsible for acquiring such temporary accommodation and the rental contract is between the Board of Management and the supplying contractor.

As the Deputy will be aware, following analysis of costs in my Department, it is now practice to purchase rather than rent temporary accommodation where the need for such accommodation is likely to exist for more than three years. This should reduce the incidence of long term rental of prefabs.

A review of rental policy is ongoing which will, inter alia, cover an examination of the contract terms to incorporate buy out, buy back, rental costs and relocation options if local circumstances require it. The review will involve an investigation of all existing rental contracts between schools and suppliers with a view to identifying action to reduce overall rental costs for the Department. In the meantime, schools proposing to rent temporary accommodation must seek competitive quotes from suppliers which should allow them to take advantage of changing market prices.