Clare prefab usage among highest in country

Clare is in the top five in the country when it comes to the number of prefabs in use in its primary school education system.
There are almost 13,300 primary school pupils in County Clare. A sizeable number are educated in 70 prefabs.
The findings, contained in a Fine Gael survey, has prompted Clare TD, Pat Breen to contend that many children will spend their entire primary education being taught in prefabs, while teachers are expected to “deliver first-class education in second-class conditions”.
“Many of our schools are renting prefabs for years and the reality is our children have to battle inclement weather every day accessing our education system. Indeed, many of children will spend their entire primary education being taught in prefabs while, at the same time, schools throughout the county are waiting years for the green light to ahead with their school building projects.
“This Government missed an opportunity during the height of the Celtic Tiger to reduce our spending on prefabs and build permanent school buildings. Even at this stage, the focus should be shifted to the construction of permanent buildings and this would give a much-needed boost to construction workers who have lost their jobs,” he added.