Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1157: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to examine the provision of waste and water allowances to schools, with charges becoming effective after these agreed allowances are exceeded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29415/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I am very much aware of the cost pressures on schools, including those arising from waste charges and the changes in relation to water charges.

With regard to waste charges, there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to examine the feasibility of introducing waste allowances for schools. The progression of this commitment is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. My predecessor was in contact with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government on this issue, and my Department will of course input to and support as required any work being done by that Department on the commitment.

The Government agreed a transition period to full water charges in the case of non fee-charging recognised schools. 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.

Under the transition arrangements agreed by the Government, schools pay a flat rate per pupil fee as follows: 2007- €3 per pupil; 2008 - €3.50 per pupil; and 2009- €4 per pupil.

Guidance was also 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.

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.

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.

In relation to day-to-day funding for schools, I prioritised funding for primary schools in the recent budget, increasing the standard rate of capitation grant at primary level to €200 per pupil. The increases in the enhanced rates for special needs pupils in special classes and special schools brings the top rate up to almost €1,000 per pupil.

The capitation grant for post-primary schools has been increased by 4.3%, representing an increase of €14 per pupil, to bring it to €345 per pupil from January 2009. Voluntary secondary schools benefitted also from an increase in the school services support grant by €8 per pupil from January 2009. This means, for example, that a secondary school with an enrolment of 500 pupils will receive an additional €11,000 in funding in 2009.

While I clearly aim to improve funding as soon as circumstances permit, I am anxious to make the capitation grant mechanism the single funding channel for schools.