Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that both primary schools and post-primary schools are due to have water meters installed by their local authorities; if she has plans to help the schools deal with the extra cost of water metering; her views on allowing the schools to put in rain harvesters to help cut down their cost of using water; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9337/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Water usage in schools is minimised through automatic shut off taps and dual flush toilets, while local water blending valves are provided to prevent scalding. These design features are included in the Department's Generic Repeat Design schools. Local Authority service and other charges payable to the various Local Authorities do not come within the remit of my Department. It is a matter for the Local Authorities to decide how schools pay such charges. If it is decided that schools are liable for such charges, the cost forms part of the normal running costs of schools and falls to be met from the capitation funding which schools receive from my Department. It would not be feasible for my Department to introduce specific schemes whereby grant assistance is provided to schools in respect of individual charges such as water charges. Primary schools' running costs are met by my Department's scheme of capitation grants, which are intended to contribute towards the general operating costs of national schools. The capitation grant has been increased substantially in recent years. Since 1997 the standard rate of capitation grant has been increased from €57.14 per pupil to €163.58 with effect from 1st January, 2007. This represents an increase of 186% in the standard rate of capitation grant since 1997.

Significant improvements in the levels of direct funding to second level schools have been made in recent years. Since January 2007, the standard per capita grant has been increased by a cumulative €30 per pupil and now stands at €316 per pupil. Secondary schools have also benefited under the school services support fund initiative. Introduced with effect from the 2000/01 school year, the school services support grant has been increased since January 2006 by a cumulative €44 per pupil bringing the annual grant from €145 per pupil to €189 per pupil. These grants are in addition to the funding of up to €40,000 per school that is also provided by my Department to secondary schools towards secretarial and caretaking services. A secondary school with 500 pupils, for example, now receives annual grants of up to €270,000 towards general expenses and support services. This represents an increase of 83% since 2000. Budget allocations for schools in the VEC and C&C sectors are increased on a pro rata basis with increases in the per capita grant. All schools are eligible for recurrent per capita grants towards special classes and curricular support grants. These significant increases in the funding of primary and post primary schools are a clear demonstration of my commitment to prioritise available resources to address the needs of schools.