Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on plans for a new school building in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Meath; when the design stage will be completed; when he expects construction to commence; when the development will be completed; the number of students in prefabs at the school at present; the costs to his Department of these prefabs on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3487/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The project referred to by the Deputy is at an early stage of architectural planning. My Department is liaising with Board of Management and their Design Team regarding a date for the Stage 2(a) stakeholders meeting. Upon completion of Stage 2(a) and subject to no issues arising, the project will then progress to stage 2(b) which is the final design stage in the architectural planning process and includes the planning application and completion of tender documents. The project has been scheduled to commence tender and construction in 2014-15 under the five-year construction programme that was announced in March 2012. My Department does not hold information on the numbers of pupils in individual schools who occupy temporary accommodation. This depends on the organisation of class groups by schools within available accommodation and may vary from year to year. Local school management is responsible for organising class numbers year on year to achieve the optimum local efficiencies. The school in question has seven prefab units. The Deputy should note that such units may consist of one or more classrooms and/or ancillary accommodation. The annual cost of the rental of temporary accommodation at this school is €82,500. My Department has asked the board of management to explore the potential for savings through a buy-out of the rental contracts. My Department is awaiting a response from the school in this regard.