€83,000 A YEAR TO RENT SCHOOL PREFABS
Over €83,000 a year is spent renting prefabricated classrooms in Rathcormac Primary School, the Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe has revealed. Local Fine Gael County Councillor Liam O’Doherty has described the figure as ‘shocking’.
The Department of Education pay for 95% of the €83,777 annual rent spent on the ten prefabs, with the remainder footed by the school authority, according to the minister. The disclosure came following a parliamentary question by Fine Gael spokesperson on Education and Science Brian Hayes TD, prompted by Cllr O’Doherty.
“It is shocking to think that over €83,000 a year is spent on prefabs for the school,” Cllr O’Doherty said this week.
“Why don’t the Government give that money straight to the board of management and let the community take out a loan to build the school? I am sure that with that level of annual repayment the school could secure a significant loan to build a proper, permanent premises. The figure being spent on rent alone is a waste of money.”
Cllr O’Doherty added that he believes that with a site in place for a new school in the village, Rathcormac could have a new building by September next year. “Look at Kilworth for example, a fine school was built there over the course of a summer, the same can be done in Rathcormac,” he claimed.
Cllr O’Doherty also added his disappointment in Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe.
“We have a Minister for Education from Cork and I think it is about time he pulled on the Cork jersey and delivered something for his home county, be it in Rathcormac or in Glenville,” he concluded..
Published:
Thursday 16th October 6:37pm
