Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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302. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether it is not acceptable that in 40% of schools there is no access to free drinking water; his further views on whether there should be access to free drinking water in all schools; and the estimated amount of investment required to ensure access to free drinking water in all schools. [34329/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I would agree with the Deputy that there should be access to a drinking water supply in schools. My Department is not aware of any school where this is not the case. Health and Safety issues such as the provision of drinking water are a matter for school authorities in the first instance, if a school authority has concerns about the quality of the drinking water on its premises, it should consult with its local authority and/or Irish Water for advice. The school may also arrange for the water to be tested. If any problems are identified through testing, or indeed, if there is a drinking water supply issue in a school, the school authority can let my Department know by submitting an Emergency Works Scheme application for funding to address the problems.