The Department of Education has admitted that it has no detailed view of the school network for which it is responsible - it does not know how many rented prefabs are in use, the level of school equipment, or the size of school sites.

With no database showing the specific details of schools already in existence, it is difficult to see how there can be informed planning for more schools to meet the needs of fast growing communities.

The department's general secretary, Brigid McManus, told the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that it would be "highly desirable" to be able to quote from an inventory.

However, she said creation of such an inventory would have "high resource implications" because an inventory of all school accommodation in Kildare in 2001 cost the state £1m in consultancy fees.

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) John Purcell said the question of producing an inventory had been raised 20 years ago but no computerised database was produced which could have been maintained.

Chairman of the PAC Bernard Allen said the absence of an inventory was a "major failure". He said it was "incomprehensible" that the Department of Education could be trying to plan for new schools, more classrooms and teachers without knowing exactly what they already owned. (Source: Irish Independent)