Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the time-scale for establishing the agreed country-wide regime for local authority levies for school waste refuse and water that would result in schools being treated as non-commercial premises and reduce operational charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5907/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In regard to waste collection charges the position is that the determination of such charges is a matter for the waste service provider, whether a local authority or a private service provider. I understand that the cost pressures on schools are taken into account by the Department of Education and Science in determining the levels of annual increases in the capitation grants paid to schools to meet their day to day running costs, and that there is a commitment to doubling the capitation grant for primary schools over the next five years.

In relation to school water charges, the Government decided on 4 January 2008 to introduce transitional arrangements for charging recognised schools for water services, pending schools being charged for water services on a full cost recovery and volumetric basis with effect from 1 January 2010.

In summary, for 2007 a flat rate of €3.00 per pupil will apply (bills for 2007 are to be recalculated on this basis and schools given a credit in respect of any excess payment and outstanding bills for 2007 are to be revised on this basis); for 2008 a flat rate of €3.50 per pupil will apply, and for 2009 a flat rate of €4.00 per pupil will apply. The relevant rates for schools receiving a water supply, but not waste water facilities, will be €2.25 in 2007, €2.63 in 2008 and €3.00 in 2009. Apart from any readjustment to arrears for 2007 arising from the recalculation of bills at the rate of €3.00 per pupil, schools are legally liable to pay all other outstanding arrears, regardless of the number of years involved. Schools owing arrears of water charges are being advised to discuss a payment arrangement for the outstanding arrears with the relevant local authority.