Prefabs bill almost halves as schools opt to build permanent classrooms

THE cost of renting and buying prefabs almost halved last year as schools are using funds to build classrooms instead, Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe revealed yesterday.

While €46 million was still spent by the Department of Education last year, it compares to a massive bill of almost €80m in 2008. The rental budget fell from €53m to €39m, while only €7m was spent on the purchase of prefabs compared to €26m the year before.

Mr O’Keeffe told the Dáil that a scheme operating since the start of 2008, under which schools can use funding for the purchase of prefabs to build permanent classrooms, has resulted in 201 of 557 schools taking the building option whereas 249 bought prefabs.