SHS included in latest prefab replacement scheme list

One Offaly school features in a list of schools revealed today (Monday) that will get grants to the tune of €15m to replace prefab units with permanent accommodation.

The Sacred Heart School in Tullamore will see prefabs replaced as part of the 2013/14 prefab replacement scheme.

The announcement by Education Minister Ruairi Quinn includes 46 schools countrywide with a total of 115 prefab units, and will change learning conditions for some 2,650 students countrywide.

One school in Offaly, Carlow, Clare, Donegal, Kerry, Limerick, Monaghan, Roscommon, Sligo and Tipperary has been included in the latest scheme, along with two in Cork, Mayo, Westmeath and Wexford.

Four schools in both Louth and Wicklow have been included, while eight in Galway are on the list and a further twelve in Dublin.

Last year the Education Department provided funding to replace over 458 prefab units, something Minister Quinn said offers better accommodation for students, savings for the schools and the Exchequer and the provision of construction jobs.

“I am delighted that we are building on the Programme for Government commitments to reduce reliance on rented prefabs in schools and extending the benefits to other parts of the country,” he said today.

Savings of almost €5m per annum on prefab rental is expected to be achieved under the previous prefab replacement initiative, while a further €2m in savings in expected from today’s announcement.

Today’s announcement is also expected to result in the creation of an estimated 300 direct and 60 indirect jobs.