Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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55. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which she will prioritise schools in need of permanent buildings in County Donegal during 2021; the timeframe for phasing out of the use of temporary prefab buildings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39851/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that, within the context of a rapidly increasing school population, my Department's priority is to ensure that every child will have access to a physical school place. In this regard, it is sometimes necessary to make use of rented temporary accommodation in order to meet the accommodation needs of schools.

Furthermore, it may also be necessary to make use of temporary rented accommodation when an immediate or short term need arises. For example, a school may require a temporary building in circumstances where a major school construction project is planned. Such temporary accommodation is removed when the major project concerned is completed. The length of time it is necessary to make use of temporary rented accommodation will vary from project to project.

My Department is taking an integrated approach with the Prefab Replacement Programme through the replacement of prefabricated units as part of large-scale and devolved projects, or as part of new projects approved under the Additional School Accommodation scheme.

Currently my Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve 372 large-scale projects and circa. 800 projects for delivery under the Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme.

While good progress continues to be made with the rollout of projects, the enhanced funding levels envisaged under the National Development Plan period will be key to ensuring the successful delivery of the remaining elements of the pipeline of projects during the NDP period 2018 to 2027.

The current status of large-scale projects and Additional Accommodation Projects being delivered including projects in Donegal, may be viewed on my Department's website, www.education.ie and this information is updated regularly.