Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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473. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide an update on the phasing out the inefficient renting of prefabricated units for schools; if the negotiation of rental contracts will be part of a reformed public procurement policy to encourage greater value for money; the number of prefabricated units that were rented in each year since 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17482/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Under my Department's Prefab Replacement Initiatives 2012 and 2013 approval was given to 217 schools (209 primary and 8 post-primary) to replace 614 prefab units with permanent accommodation. In excess of €57m has been allocated to these initiatives, of which €46.5m has been paid to date. Of the total 217 approved school projects, 168 projects have been completed and a further 14 projects are on site.

In addition to the prefab replacement initiatives as part of my Department's large scale school building programme, prefab accommodation continues to be replaced with permanent structures on an on-going basis.

In general, the management authorities of schools are responsible for renting prefabs. In current economic circumstances it is important that small and medium sized businesses are not hindered in competing for contracts that they are performing effectively and centralising the process would make it more difficult for these to compete.

The number of prefabs that have been rented in each year since 2009, is attached for the Deputy's attention. It should be noted that a prefab unit may consist of one or more classrooms and/or ancillary accommodation.