Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1218: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he is satisfied that the provision of innovative modular buildings is an efficient and effective way of providing classrooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33689/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As you may be aware, a wide-ranging review of the provision of temporary school accommodation is underway in my Department. Part of that review is the development of standardised designs and specifications and associated documentation for the procurement of temporary accommodation. In progressing this element of the review, the firm of specialists engaged to assist with this review has engaged with a number of firms who specialise in the provision of modular accommodation that is capable of being constructed off-site and delivered and erected on school sites within a short time-frame. Issues such as cost, quality, durability, maintenance and demountability will be examined and assessed and decisions will be made based on this assessment.

The firm of specialists are working in close co-operation with my Department on all elements of the review. My officials hold regular meetings with the firm to review and discuss developments. Recommendations arising from the work being undertaken will be implemented as soon as practicable with a view to achieving better value for money and improved quality of school accommodation.

Furthermore, in preparing the brief for new school building projects that are approved to proceed to architectural planning, consideration is now being given by my Department to the provision of additional accommodation through the use of modular designs where the schedule of accommodation, site constraints, extent of intervention in existing buildings, planning/statutory approval issues, timescale for delivery etc. are favourable to that approach.

Elements of modular design were incorporated in the rapid delivery programmes for developing areas that were delivered for the 08/09 and 09/10 school years.

I am satisfied that these programmes were successful and effective in terms of quality of accommodation provided and speed of delivery.