Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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327. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount her Department has spent on temporary accommodation for a school (details supplied) since its foundation; the number of prefabs currently in use; the potential additional capacity which might be available in the short term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42983/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school referred to by the Deputy opened in 2007 and was located in interim accommodation initially for 6 months.

The school subsequently relocated to its current location in Department owned temporary accommodation comprising 16 temporary classrooms. These classrooms are located on the grounds of the local GAA club and rent is paid to the GAA for the use of its grounds. As the temporary classrooms are Department owned, no costs arise for the provision of the physical accommodation. The total cost associated with rental arrangements to date amounts to €705,255.

With regard to the provision of permanent accommodation for the school, my Department is presently at a very advanced stage in the process of acquiring a suitable site, located at Donaghcumper for the construction of a new school. When this has been acquired, the architectural planning process for the new school can be initiated.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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328. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount her Department has spent on a school (details supplied) since its inception on site development, site rental, rental of prefabs and all ancillary services; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no further capacity on the site for expansion; if there is projected unmet need in Celbridge in 2021 and 2022 for same; if so, the way in which it is planned to provide for the unmet need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42984/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The school referred to by the Deputy opened in 2015 in an existing school building. In September 2016, the school relocated to a council owned site in temporary accommodation purchased by the Department. The total cost of this accommodation including furniture and equipment/ICT amounted to €3,310,125.

In 2018, my Department approved grant for additional rented accommodation at a cost of €115,128 per annum. The associated installation costs of this accommodation was €235,220.

In addition, my Department approved the purchase of further temporary accommodation for the 2020 and 2021 school years. Part of this accommodation was installed for the start of the 2020/21 school year with the remainder due to be installed in the new year. The total cost of this accommodation amounts to €3,816,975. Since 2017, my Department is also providing funding of €50,000 per annum for the rental of the site where this accommodation is located, which is in the ownership of the local authority.

With regard to the provision of permanent accommodation for the school, my Department is presently at a very advanced stage in the process of acquiring a suitable site for the construction of a permanent building for this school. The site acquisition process is complex and subject to completion of successful negotiation and conveyancing processes. When acquired, the architectural planning process for the new school can be initiated.

My Department is aware of increasing pressures and demand for additional post-primary school places in a number of school planning areas including the school planning area in which this school is located.

Where capacity issues arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:

- Duplication of applications – pupils have applied for a place to a number of schools in the area

- School of choice – pupils can’t get a place in their preferred school while there are places inother schools in the town/area

- Some towns/areas have single sex schools and while places are available in the school there are not available to all pupils

- External draw – pupils coming from outside the local area

Until these issues are discussed with the relevant school authorities the true extent of any capacity issue will only become known.

Similar to the process adopted in advance of the current academic year, my Department is engaging with patron bodies, including those in County Kildare, to identify particular capacity requirements for the forthcoming year(s) which may necessitate action.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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329. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which she plans to provide for the 40 children in a school (details supplied) in addition to the 15 who are waiting for classes; the way in which they are currently being provided for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42985/20]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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330. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the age of the prefabs at a school (details supplied); the lifespan of the prefabs; if her attention has been drawn to maintenance problems and the fact that some of the prefabs are not watertight; if she will arrange for an inspection of the school buildings and a subsequent report on the adequacy of these buildings for children being cared for and educated there; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42986/20]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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331. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount her Department has spent on prefabs at a school (details supplied); the number that were purchased; when they were purchased; the number that are rented; the date from which they have been rented; the site availability there is for expansion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42987/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 329, 330 and 331 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that in May 2020, my Department gave initial approval to the school in question to acquire 3 temporary classrooms. This project has been devolved to the school for delivery and my Department understands that a decision on the planning permission application is due shortly. When secured and when the accommodation is tendered, the school will then submit a tender report, with recommendation, to my Department for approval. It is expected that this accommodation, when installed, will assist in addressing the school’s capacity needs.

With regard to the provision of permanent accommodation for the school, my Department is presently at a very advanced stage in the process of acquiring a suitable site for the construction of a permanent building for this school. The site acquisition process is complex and subject to completion of successful negotiation and conveyancing processes. When acquired, the architectural planning process for the new school can be initiated.

Under the July Stimulus Programme, my Department secured a €375m support package to enable the safe return for schools. This included additional funding of €75m which was allocated to cover an enhanced Minor Works Grant at primary level. The Minor Works grant allows schools to undertake improvement works in full or in part, as the grant allows, without prior application to my Department. A total of €33,954 was paid to the school in question under the Minor Works Grant in 2020. It is open to the school to utilise this funding for maintenance work to the school’s buildings.

With regard to prefab rental, in 2007, my Department approved rental of a temporary classroom at a cost of €14,102 per annum. Approval to rent an additional temporary classroom was granted in 2008 at an annual cost of €15,254. The total grant paid to date for these rental arrangements amount to €395,751.

In 2016, my Department approved the purchase of an additional temporary classroom at a cost of €92,007 and in 2017, a further grant of €107,434 was approved for the purchase of an additional classroom.

The site on which the school is located is owned by the school patron.