School construction - Shelving child education

THE commitment of any government to the future can be measured in its treatment of children, especially in the area of education. This raises serious questions about the current Government’s sense of values.

More than 40,000 pupils are being taught in prefabricated buildings because their schools are awaiting renovation or accommodation, some for many years.

The state spent €38.5 million in renting prefabs last year. Where new schools, or the renovation of existing schools are planned, this is a waste because it amounts to enormous expenditure to facilitate mere temporising.