Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to deal with the prefab accommodation in schools (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if it would be more cost effective for permanent accommodation to be provided. [30813/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The first school referred to by the Deputy was considered to be in good condition and well maintained when acquired by my Department. In the period since the purchase, my Department was advised by the school of issues with the accommodation. A technical assessment has been carried out recently by Department staff and the report in the matter is being considered. My Department will be in contact with the school authorities shortly in this regard.

The second school referred to by the Deputy is currently at an advanced stage of architectural planning. The Stage 2(a) Submission (Developed Design) was approved in February and the project was authorised to proceed to complete stage 2(b) which includes securing the necessary statutory approvals and the preparation of tender documents. The application for planning permission was lodged in May.

The project at the second school referred to by the Deputy will continue to be advanced incrementally over time within the context of the funding available. However, in light of current competing demands on the Department's capital budget, it is not possible to progress this project to tender and construction at this time. The school has not made any application to my Department in recent times regarding the temporary accommodation on its site.