Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 574: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, of the projected €48 million which his Department will spend in 2009 renting prefabs in respect of temporary accommodation throughout the primary and post primary school system, he will estimate the number of prefabs which are rented directly by his Department, that is prefabs for which his Department pays rent, and the amount when the rent is paid directly by the school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10113/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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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. In between 1% and 2% of cases my Department may rent directly from providers, this generally arises in relation to developing areas where a new school is being established.

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.