There has been a 30% rise in the use of prefabs in Irish schools between 2015 and 2017, according to new data.

Fianna Fáil Seanad Group Leader, Senator Catherine Ardagh, described the poor quality of some prefabs as "simply not acceptable".

She said: "A significant number of the prefab facilities I've come to witness have issues around dampness, inadequate heating, poor toilet facilities and even vermin. In this day and age it is simply not acceptable to put up with these conditions which are dangerous for staff and pupils.

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"Far from reducing the State's reliance of prefabs, Fine Gael is actually increasing their use, and it's down to a simple fact: Fine Gael slashed investment in capital infrastructure projects after 2011 and we are now playing catch up.

"It is abundantly clear from speaking with principals and staff locally that the school building programme is not keeping up with demand for places in the South Inner City.

"The Minister needs to accept that his capital budget is insufficient for the job at hand. Not only has it resulted in a huge increase in prefabs in Dublin South Central schools, but the five year capital plan is grossly delayed and many projects repeatedly promised before it was published have not even begun."

(CD/LM)