Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Deputy Andrew Doyle, has welcomed the announcement from the Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn that grants for four schools in County Wicklow have been approved for prefabs to be replaced with permanent accommodation. The Minister said that under the Prefab Replacement Initiative, St Michaels GNS, Arklow, St Joseph’s NS, Arklow, Colaiste Bhride, Carnew and St Saviour’s NS, Rathdrum will all be offered grant aid.
Speaking on the matter, Wicklow’s Deputy Doyle said, “The news that that prefabs classrooms in County Wicklow are to be replacement with permanent accommodation is very welcome. Minister Quinn announced this early in the summer and now we know to what extent the Prefab Replacement Scheme (Phase II) will stretch, following their grant approval.”
“These four schools under this round will be offered grant aid to replace the rented prefabs with permanent structures. For County Wicklow this includes:
– St Michaels GNS, Arklow – 2 x 80m² Mainstream Classrooms, 1 x 16m²
– St Joseph’s NS, Arklow – 9 x 80m² classrooms, 2 x 16m² Resource Rooms, 1 x 70m² Classroom for Autusim, 1 x 15m² ensuite toilets/shower area for autistic class, 1 x 20m² withdrawal area for autistic class
– Colaiste Bhride, Carnew – 5 x 49m² mainstream classrooms
– St Saviour’s NS, Rathdrum – 1 x 80m² mainstream classrooms, 1 x 20m² Multipurpose/Resource Room, 1 x 16m² Resource Room”
Deputy Doyle continued, “Replacing prefabs in Wicklow schools offers better accommodation for students and savings for schools and the exchequer, as well as providing construction jobs for local people. Following the Prefab Replacement Scheme being set up in 2012, it has allowed 458 prefabs to be replaced or to be replaced nationwide at over 130 sites. Nationally, we will be seeing over 2,600 students to get permanent accommodation as part of €15 million prefab replacement scheme in 2013/14. Fine Gael committed to reducing schools reliance on rented prefabs and we are acting and delivering upon this.”
“Since coming to Government, we have allocated funding to ensure that less students go to school every morning in a prefab. Overall, there will be a 37% reduction in the number of prefabs in our schools. This demonstrates our clear commitment to investment in our children’s education. €7 million is going to have saved annually by moving from the previous government’s policy of renting prefabs. We are instead providing our schools with permanent accommodation. Four schools in Rathdrum, Carnew and Arklow will directly benefit from this and will result in the creation of direct and indirect jobs in the Wicklow economy”, stated Deputy Doyle.
“The announcement that approval has been given to St Saviour’s National School, Rathdrum, Colaiste Bhride, Carnew, St Michael’s Girls National School, Arklow and St Joseph’s National School, Arklow to get prefabs replaced with permanent classrooms is very welcome. It will provide modern, high quality educational accommodation for pupils and teachers and construction related jobs for workers in County Wicklow. I have been continuously campaigning for better educational facilities and resources in Wicklow and I am delighted to see this scheme going ahead and delivering for Wicklow”, concluded Deputy Doyle.