The cost of prefab rental in Galway city and county for both primary and post-primary schools from January to December 2009 is estimated to soar to €1.84 million, according to figures obtained from the Department of Education and Science.
A department spokesperson also revealed that in 2008/09 to date 45 schools in Galway have been given approval for additional accommodation. If this accommodation is rented by the applicant schools it would cost an estimated €975,000 per annum in addition to initial installation and site works costs.
The cost of renting prefabs in schools across the country has attracted considerable criticism in recent months with the Government being accused of wasting money which would be better spent on providing permanent accommodation solutions. Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe TD announced last summer a change in policy which would allow schools to use Department grant-aid to build new classrooms instead of buying temporary units for which the money was intended.
Minister O’Keeffe announced this week that there has been a positive response to the scheme and that ten schools in Galway have opted to take this route.
These are: St Oliver Plunkett National School, Athenry; Craughwell National School, Craughwell, Scoil Náisiúnta Pádraig Naofa, Ballygar; Kilkerrin National School, Ballinasloe; Scoil Shéamais Naofa, Bearna; Bawnmore National School, Claregalway; Scoil Náisiúnta an Chroi Ró Naofa, Tuam; Milltown National School; Scoil Mhuire, Athenry; and Clonberne National School, Ballinasloe. They are among 131 schools across the country that have chosen to be part of the new scheme.
Speaking about the initiative, Minister O’Keeffe said: “I’m tackling excessive spending on prefabs with a combination of commonsense policy moves and intensive negotiations with suppliers. I’ve allowed schools to use grant aid for the purchase of prefabs to build permanant classrooms instead. And if a prefab is needed for more than three years the Department will offer a school a grant to buy it rather than to rent it”.
Thirteen schools in Galway have chosen to buy the temporary classrooms. These are: Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh, Knocknacarra; Seamount College, Kinvara; Coláiste an Eachréidh, Athenry; Scoil Mhuire, Oranmore; Eglish National School, Ballinasloe; Scoil na bhForbacha, An Spideal; St Joseph’s College, Garbally; Scoil Náisiúnta Antoine, Clifden; Athenry Boys’ National School, Knockaunglas; St Joseph’s National School, Athenry; Presentation Primary School, Tuam; Scoil Mhuire, Clarinbridge; and Scoil Bhrige agus Bhreandain Naofa, Corrandulla.
“This year, the Government’s allocation for the school-building programme is €614 million. This Government is investing wisely in our school infrastructure. We will continue to deliver a programme of investment and reform that is radically transforming classrooms across the country,” said Minister O’Keeffe.
