Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 384: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the measures being put in place to ensure that the commitment within the Programme for Government to ease the burden of metered water rates on schools is delivered; and when these measures will be put in place. [34848/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to examine the provision of waste and water allowances to schools with charges becoming effective after these are exceeded.

The examination referred to in the Programme is primarily a matter for my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government who has responsibility for waste and water policy generally and the EU Water Framework Directive. I am in ongoing discussions with the Minister in relation to this matter.

My Department will actively input to the examination and it has already been agreed between officials of both Departments that as a priority the examination should consider what is legally permissible in line with the EU Directive, with advice from the Office of the Attorney General, so that the Government can be advised of any alleviation options that may exist along the lines indicated in the commitment in the Programme for Government.