A total of €153, 216 has been paid out by Roscommon primary schools for the rental of prefabs in the last four years, according to local TD Denis Naughten.
Top of the list is Scoil Mhuire primary school in Roscommon town which has spent just over €30,000 in the last three years on renting prefabs while it continues to await approval from the Department of Education on its urgently needed school extension.
Next on the list is Cornafulla NS (€27,483 ), followed by Summerhill NS (€18,954 ), Cloonfad NS (€17,374 ), and Ballymurray NS (€15,795 ).
“While some of these schools have at long last got approval from the Department of Education for extensions, others are still waiting. Surely, it would make more sense to use the limited funds which are available to raise loans to build extensions rather than wasting money on rent, leaving children, parents and teachers paying the price,” said Deputy Naughten.
“In 2009 the Government failed to spend all the funds that it had set aside for school buildings, yet it continues to fork out money for the rental of prefabs for local schools.
“Government must immediately rethink this policy and get on with providing extensions which not only improve the situation for pupils but would also give local builders the opportunity to create jobs,” he concluded.
