Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the estimate of the average cost of constructing a classroom, renting a prefab and building a new primary or second level school in view of the downturn in the economy; the way this differs from the cost of doing so at the height of the construction boom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39493/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The cost of building a new classroom or new school building will vary from project to project depending on the complexity of the project, site conditions and ultimately on the tender outcomes. I can say that recent tenders are yielding a reduction of up to 30% in overall building costs for major projects in comparison to prices at the height of the construction boom.

The Planning and Building Unit of my Department is in the process of finalising the revision of the basic building cost limit per square metre for major primary and post-primary construction projects. This figure is used to set and monitor the budget for school projects as the project progresses through the design stages and to assess the value-for-money of tenders. Indications are that the new cost limit will be significantly lower than the current figure, which has been in effect since June 2006. I expect the new cost limit to be finalised and published on my Department's website shortly. Prefab rental costs are also showing a price decline and I will be in a position to provide the Deputy with comparative average rental costs for prefabs at the end of the current financial year. Because of the nature of rentals, calculations on average costs at this stage of the year will not accurately reflect comparative year-on-year costs.