Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 678: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the concerns of a primary school (details supplied) in County Waterford regarding circular 0064/2009 in the matter of the imposition of metered water charges, he will revert to the [i]per capita[/i] charge which operated on an interim basis prior to January 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6334/10]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 705: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on increasing the capitation grant per child to offset water charges that are being imposed on schools here; his further views on whether schools should be exempt from commercial water rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6698/10]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 678 and 705 together.

Under the Water Framework Directive, the payment of water charges is required with effect from 1 January 2010. The legal advice available to the Government is that schools, like other non-domestic water services users, must pay the full cost of water services used on a metered basis. The Directive required that transitional measures be in place up to 2010 to move towards full cost recovery. It is not possible to maintain these per capita transitional rates.

Circular 64/2009, to which Deputy O'Shea refers, advises schools that data from local authorities indicates that water consumption levels in many schools remains too high. With the introduction of full metered water charges, costs may increase substantially if schools do not put in place water conservation measures. The circular details also the benefits to the school if it reduces water consumption to a recommended per capita usage of 2.1 cubic metres. Schools were advised of actions they could take to reduce water consumption in Circular 46/2008, which was issued by my Department in April 2008. They were advised to develop a water management plan, in order that they would be familiar with the water distribution systems serving the school and the areas where water is used along with potential areas for wastage and leakage. Practical suggestions for reducing water consumption, along with examples of best practice, were also included.

I wish to draw the Deputies' attention also to Circular 57/2009, which is available on my Department's website. Circular 57/2009 outlines the funding available through the Summer Works Scheme 2010 for water conservation measures, which will have the effect of reducing schools' water charges and of contributing to environmental sustainability. The Deputy will be aware that my Department, as is the case for all Government Departments, has had to identify efficiencies in all areas of its budget. Schools can play a role in that regard also by reducing their water consumption and thereby their water charges. I do not propose to provide a specific increase in capitation to take account of metered water charges.