Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21255/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21256/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21257/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 268: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21258/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6W paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21259/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 270: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21260/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21261/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6W paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21262/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21263/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 274: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21264/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21265/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21266/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21267/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21268/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21269/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21270/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21271/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 282: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21272/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 283: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21273/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21274/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21275/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6W paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21276/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21277/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21278/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 289: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21279/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21280/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 291: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21281/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 292: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21282/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21283/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21284/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21285/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21286/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21287/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21288/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21289/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21290/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 301: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21291/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21292/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21293/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21294/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21295/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 306: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21296/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 307: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21297/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6W paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21298/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 309: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21299/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21300/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21301/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21302/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21303/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 314: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21304/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 265 to 314, inclusive, together.

There is currently no requirement for primary schools to submit copies of itemised bills to my Department. Section 18 of the Education Act, 1998 and Section 19 of "The Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedure" handbook sets out the responsibilities of boards of management for maintaining school accounts.

I am aware of the cost pressures on schools, including those arising from water charges, and it is for this reason that it is a priority for Government to improve funding for the day-to-day running costs of schools. Specific commitments in relation to improving school funding form a central part of the education provisions of the Programme for Government. These commitments are a direct follow on from the clear thrust of Government policy over recent years to improve the position of schools and primary schools in particular.

Primary schools are now getting over €178 per pupil to meet their day to day running costs — an increase of nearly 70% on the 2002 rate of €105 and €15 more per child than they got last year. Post-primary schools have also seen improvements in funding and through a similar €15 increase this year now receive €331 per pupil. As the Deputy will be aware, we are committed to doubling the capitation grant for primary schools over the lifetime of the Programme for Government.

In the context of reducing water costs for schools, it has been demonstrated that fitting simple water saving devices to toilets and sinks can reduce water consumption considerably at very little cost, as can other small works such as fixing easily identifiable leaks. Primary school authorities may use their annual minor works grant to fund such measures. The minor works grant has increased by nearly 50% over the past two years and some €27m issued to primary schools at the end of last year for that purpose.

The Government agreed a transition period to full water charges in the case of non-fee charging recognised schools and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has advised local authorities of the detailed arrangements regarding the implementation of this decision.

The transitional arrangements afford schools the opportunity to put in place water conservation arrangements and practices and to undertake works that can help reduce water usage significantly before full water charges are introduced. By virtue of good water conservation schools can be in a much stronger position to reduce the impact of water charges on their overall budgets. Guidance was also recently issued to schools on the most appropriate measures to minimise excess consumption of water and to reduce wastage where it exists. In addition, water conservation issues will continue to be addressed by my Department as a matter of routine where new schools are being built or where major renovations are being carried out to existing schools under the schools modernisation programme. Furthermore those schools with very high water consumption will be identified and contacted with a view to introducing measures to help them reduce water usage.

My Department remains in close liaison with the Department of Environment and Local Government regarding water conservation and is supportive of any initiatives by it and local authorities that will help reduce water costs for schools.