Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 215: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which the prefabs at a school (details supplied) in County Galway were purchased by his Department; if the school was consulted regarding their purchase; if it was realised at the time that their purchase would preclude them from the prefab replacement scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30754/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In 2008, my Department undertook a review of the provision of temporary accommodation with a view to achieving best value for money. The review 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.

In February 2011, the schools referred to by the Deputy were informed in writing and through discussions with officials in the Planning and Building Unit of my Department that better value for money could be achieved in the buy-out rather than rental of the existing prefab accommodation. All rented prefabs at the schools were purchased at that time.

As the Deputy is aware, the Programme for this Government contains a commitment to reduce the reliance on rented prefabs in schools and this resulted in my announcement in March 2012 of a rental prefab replacement initiative.

I'm sure the Deputy will appreciate that the buy-out of rented prefabs at these schools took place prior to this announcement and it was not possible to anticipate the policy changes to tackle the issue of expenditure on rental of prefabs in schools at that time.