A €35 million plan to replace rented prefabs in 200 primary schools with proper classrooms, has been welcomed by Meath East TD Dominic Hannigan.

The announcement by Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn will benefit 6,000 primary school children currently being educated in prefab buildings.

"Many of these unfortunate legacies from the Celtic Tiger era will finally be removed and proper classrooms put in their place. Building grants of up to €110,000 will be available for schools and the work involved will create 700 direct and 140 indirect jobs."

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Over one third of all schools currently renting prefabs will be offered grants to build permanent accommodation this year. Deputy Hannigan said four schools in his Meath East constituency will benefit from the funding.

"Huge difficulties arose in certain parts of East Meath during the Celtic Tiger era. Hundreds and indeed thousands of new houses were built in some areas but the classrooms needed by the children living in those homes did not materialise."

Deputy Hannigan said the initiative, which is part of the Government's commitment to reducing the reliance on rented prefabs in schools, will save €5 million in rent this year.

"The previous Government fuelled the building boom while its policy for schools was to rent prefabs. In 2007 alone 715 new rental contracts were agreed for primary schools. The bill for providing this type of accommodation has been massive. In the past three years the Department has spent €97.2 million renting temporary accommodation."

(CD/GK)