Boolavogue NS and Scoil Mhuire, Coolcotts to get permanent accommodation as part of prefab replacement scheme in 2013/14

GOVERNMENT Chief Whip Minister Paul Kehoe TD has welcomed an announcement from Minister for Education & Skills, Ruairí Quinn T.D., that Boolvogue NS and Scoil Mhuire, Coolcottes will get permanent classrooms in their schools to replace prefabs.

€15 million has been allocated nationally in 2013/14 to replace prefabs and provide permanent resource rooms and classrooms for some 2,650 students. Forty-six schools, with 115 prefab units, will be offered grants to provide the new facilities.

Commenting on the announcement Minister Kehoe said:

“This follows on from the success of the 2012 scheme which provided funding for the replacement of over 458 prefab units. The prefab replacement initiative last year has been a great success, with over €23.6 million spent to date, 30 projects completed, and a further 100 projects on site.

“This prefab replacement investment comes a week after the announcement of 28 major school building projects following the additional €50 million secured by the Department of Education and Skills as part of the Government’s “Investing in Infrastructure & Jobs” package. This will see a new school built in Barntown and major extensions built at St Aidans NS in Enniscorthy and Scoil Abbain in Adamstown.

“For years I have been battling to replace prefabs in County Wexford schools as they offer better accommodation for students and savings for schools and the Exchequer, as well as providing construction jobs. We are now clearly delivering upon our Programme for Government commitment to reduce reliance on rented prefabs in schools.

“The replacing of prefabs is part of the Government’s €475 million education infrastructure plan for 2014. This Plan will provide modern, high quality accommodation for pupils and teachers and construction related jobs for workers around the country”.