Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 200: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of children at primary and second level on a county basis here that are accommodated in prefabricated structures; the locations at which this has prevailed for the longest period; her plans, if any, to replace such buildings with permanent structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18610/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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In general, my Department approves the purchase or rental of prefabricated classrooms based on need at the time of application. My Department does not hold information on the numbers of pupils in individual schools who currently occupy temporary accommodation, this depends on the organisation of class groups by the school management within available accommodation and may vary from year to year.

A change in policy that has been implemented by my Department is to grant aid the purchase (rather than rental) of temporary accommodation where the need for such accommodation is likely to exist for more than 3 years. Furthermore, since July 2008, it is also policy to offer schools being approved for grant aid for temporary accommodation the option to use their capital grant aid to build a permanent classroom(s) rather than purchase a prefab. These policies will reduce the usage of temporary accommodation and, particularly, the incidence of long-term rental of prefabs.

In addition, 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. 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.