Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 580: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools in County Donegal that are awaiting a new build, refurbishment or extension; the schools in County Donegal that are using prefabs as temporary classroom facilities; the cost of same to each school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43163/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Information in respect of the current school building programme along with all assessed applications for major capital works, including the Co. Donegal projects referred to by the Deputy, are now available on my Department's website at www.education.ie.

The priority attaching to individual projects is determined by published prioritisation criteria, which were formulated following consultation with the Education Partners. There are four band ratings under these criteria, each of which describes the extent of accommodation required and the urgency attaching to it. Band 1 is the highest priority rating and Band 4 is the lowest. Documents explaining the band rating system are also available on my Department's website.

A list of 61 applications from Co. Donegal schools currently seeking major capital works building projects is attached for ease of reference.

In the context of addressing accommodation needs in the short term, the Department grant-aids the provision of temporary accommodation in respect of schools requiring accommodation to cater for additional staffing allocations while awaiting the provision of permanent accommodation.

A table compiled from information sent to my Department by schools in Co. Donegal is as follows, which shows a list of schools in the county using rented prefabs as temporary classroom facilities. The rental cost per annum to each school is included in another table.