Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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168. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills since February 2011 the number of prefabs that have been replaced with permanent classrooms; the savings that have been made in the prefab budget through the construction of new classrooms in that time; the number of prefabs that he expect to replace with new classrooms in 2013; the budget committed for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2537/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In March 2011, 645 schools were renting 1692 prefab units. Today that number has been reduced to 538 schools renting 1403 units. This reduction is mainly due to the number of large scale building projects that have been completed by my Department in that period. Information in relation to the number of purchased prefabs replaced in the same two year period is not readily available.

The amount spent on renting temporary accommodation at primary and post-primary level, including – but not limited to - prefabricated accommodation in the 2 years is as follows: 2012: €24.7m2011: €28.9m.

In addition under my Department's Prefab Replacement Initiative announced in March 2012 over 170 schools have been approved to replace their rented prefab accommodation with permanent accommodation. In excess of €42million has been allocated for this initiative of which €15.6 million was paid in 2012. This funding is being provided to schools to replace rented prefabs that are currently providing mainstream classroom and resource rooms for an estimated 6,000 pupils. In total 286 mainstream classrooms currently in rented prefabs will receive permanent buildings. Resource rooms and other ancillary accommodation will also be replaced as part of this initiative and a rental saving of up to €5m will be achieved when all the projects are completed.