Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

The introduction of water meters is currently a matter between the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the schools involved. I did not make a commitment but indicated quite strongly that I would determine the help I could give schools, primary schools in particular, in terms of capitation in line with the 2009 Estimates. We should improve the level of capitation, particularly to primary schools, and I intend to prioritise this. It is important to note that capitation for a school with 300 pupils amounts to €100,000 per annum. Many schools, therefore, are doing particularly well.

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