Written answers

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Department of Education and Skills

School Accommodation

Photo of Kevin HumphreysKevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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373. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of prefabs in primary and secondary schools here at the end of March 2011; the number that have been replaced since then, providing a breakdown of the figures by 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the number projected to be replaced by end of 2013; the spend on construction of replacement classrooms for prefabs in each of those years including to date in 2013 and projected spend to end of 2013; the saving on prefabs in each of those years and to end of 2013; his long term plans for this issue,; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35381/13]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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There were 1,694 prefabricated units being rented at end of March 2011 at a cost of €23.2m in primary and post-primary schools. This compares with 1,490 units being rented at end of March 2012 at a cost of €19.7m and 1,273 units being rented at end of March 2013 at a cost of €17.5m. Please note that one prefab unit may consist of one or more classrooms and/or ancillary accommodation. This reduction results from the delivery of projects from my 5 year Capital Plan and the 2012 Prefab Replacement Initiative.

The Deputy will be aware that under my Department's 2012 Prefab Replacement Initiative, approval was given to 170 schools nationally to replace 458 prefab units with permanent accommodation. In excess of €42m was allocated for this initiative of which €27.2m has been paid to date. Of these a total of 142 projects have gone to construction and 55 of these have been completed. The total rental savings achieved by the 55 completed projects are in the region of €1m. These figures will be subject to change as further projects are completed. The initiative will result in savings of approximately €5m per annum on the

rental of prefabs in these schools in the coming years.

In June of this year, I announced a further Prefab Replacement Initiative to replace in the region 115 prefabs in 46 schools with permanent accommodation. A total of €15m has been allocated in 2013/14 and this further initiative will result in additional rental savings of €2.5m per annum. Replacing prefabs is part of the Government's €475 million education infrastructure plan for 2014. The Plan will provide modern, high quality accomodation for pupils and teachers and construction related jobs for workers around the country.

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