Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the savings he will make in respect of the total amount spent on renting temporary school accommodation in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32869/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of meetings which took place in 2009 between his representatives and the suppliers of temporary accommodation to negotiate reductions in rental costs; the persons who attended these meetings; the dates for all such meetings; the reduction in rent that has come about since the negotiation took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32870/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools which have been targeted by his Department to replace older rental accommodation with new structures; if his new pilot scheme in this area has been successful since its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32871/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 to 147, inclusive, together.

It is currently anticipated that there will be a saving of at least €14m in expenditure on rental temporary accommodation in 2009, compared to 2008. This clearly demonstrates the efforts being made by my Department to reduce spending in this area.

The saving arises from a combination of the reduction in the number of new rental contracts being entered into and negotiations with prefab suppliers to buy out existing rental contracts.

My Department has engaged a specialist firm to develop new procedures and systems for the provision of temporary accommodation with a view to achieving best value for money. Work is well underway and the firm of specialists is working closely with officials in the Planning and Building Unit of my Department. The review incorporates the development of standard specifications for temporary accommodation, the development of new contractual terms to incorporate buy-out and relocation options to cater for individual local circumstances and appropriately protect the interests of the Department and school authorities. The work also involves negotiations with prefab suppliers to buy out existing rental contracts or reductions in annual rent, as appropriate. Progress has been made in all areas of the review.

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that I am precluded from providing detailed information in relation to negotiations that are currently underway with providers due to commercial sensitivities involved. I would however like to assure the Deputy that it is intended to further reduce the rental costs associated with temporary school accommodation and the arrangements to achieve these reductions are well underway.

An initial group of 46 schools with rented prefabricated accommodation has been identified for priority negotiations with suppliers to buy out existing rental contracts. A considerable number of meetings have taken place between the firm of specialists engaged by my Department for this task and the prefabricated accommodation suppliers. It is expected that negotiations will be concluded shortly on a number of these. My officials in the Planning & Building Unit meet with the firm of specialists on a regular basis to review progress with five such meetings having been held this year to date.

A pilot programme to replace prefabricated accommodation with permanent modular units is also under development. To date 10 schools have been visited to determine suitability and, from those, a short list of 4 schools is being drawn up. When the short-list of suitable schools has been finalised, the schools will be contacted with the offer of a permanent modular unit replacement of their prefabs. Once the schools have indicated their agreement to the proposal, detailed plans and timeframes will be developed for the delivery of the projects. This replacement programme will be extended to further schools as resources permit.