John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

212. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to set out the number of portacabins in use in schools here; the length of time each portacabin is in place; the total cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11452/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wish to advise the Deputy that there are in the region of 950 prefabricated units rented at Primary and Post Primary schools across the country, with some schools having multiple units. In the region of 458 units were installed between 2010 and 2016 with 440 units installed between 2003 and 2009.

The cost of rentals prior to 2009 is not readily available, however, information requested by the Deputy in relation to the cost of rented accommodation from 2009 is contained in the following table.

I also with to advise the Deputy that prior to 2013, separate information on the rental of prefabs, buildings and land was not compiled by my Department so that the information provided for the years, 2009 to 2012 inclusive, relates to expenditure on all types of rented accommodation.  The information provided for the years 2013 and onwards relates to the rental of prefab accommodation only.

In this regard it is my intention over the lifetime of my Department's Capital Programme, to replace all purchased temporary accommodation with permanent accommodation, where the need is established. To enable this development, my Department will be carrying out an assessment of the number of prefabs being used in schools to deliver the curriculum. This will also determine whether or not individual prefabs need to be replaced in the context of the long-term accommodation needs of each individual school. When completed, this assessment will quantify the number of prefabs to be replaced.