Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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483. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reassess an application for a second new classroom by a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25919/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, my Department recently approved funding for the construction of one mainstream classroom at the school in question to facilitate a new teacher appointment from September 2016.

The school also applied for funding to replace a prefab currently in use. Whilst it is my Department's intention, in accordance with the six year Programme for Government 2016-2021, to replace school prefabs with permanent accommodation, the prefab in question was purchased by the school in 2012 with a grant provided by my Department. At the time of grant sanction, the school was given the option to build a permanent classroom or purchase a prefab, and opted to purchase a prefab. As the prefab is less than 4-years old, my Department is not in a position to consider replacing it at this time. The school has been advised accordingly.