Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 552: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount that has been spent on renting rooms or sports facilities for primary schools in south Tipperary every year since 1998; the amount that has been spent annually on the upkeep of these rented properties; and the amount spent on school buildings in south Tipperary as a whole that this represents. [9925/09]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 553: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount that has been spent on renting prefabs for secondary schools in south Tipperary every year since 1998; the amount that has been spent annually on the upkeep of these prefabs; and the amount spent on school buildings in south Tipperary as a whole that this represents. [9926/09]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 554: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount that has been spent on renting prefabs for primary schools in south Tipperary every year since 1998; the amount that has been spent annually on the upkeep of these prefabs; and the amount spent on school buildings in south Tipperary as a whole that this represents. [9927/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 552 to 554, inclusive, together.

The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the years 1998 to 2007 is not readily available; however, I can say that the total amount spent on renting temporary classrooms for primary schools in Co. Tipperary for 2008 was €655,909.86. There were no rental costs in 2008 in relation to post-primary schools. The Deputy will appreciate that this information is not recorded in my Department on a Constituency basis.

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. The overall policy goal is to ensure the highest standard of permanent accommodation for all schools. However, in the context of a rapidly increasing school population, the necessity to put additional accommodation in place in a short time frame, and competing pressure on the capital budget available to my Department, it is necessary to make use of temporary accommodation in order to meet accommodation needs in some circumstances.

Question No. 555 answered with Question No. 492.