Vol. 519 No. 3
221 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has a policy on the exemption of schools (details supplied) in Dublin 24 which are designated as disadvantaged from payment of water charges; if so, if he will outline this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13779/00]
Primary schools' running costs are met by my Department's scheme of capitation grants and the local contribution. These grants are intended to contribute towards the general operating costs of national schools which would include heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, painting, teaching aids and other miscellaneous charges. The capitation grant has been increased substantially since the Government assumed office in 1997. It was increased by £5 in 1998 and £10 in 1999, bringing the standard grant to £60 per pupil. This constitutes an increase of 33% over that period. In addition the grant will be increased by a further £11 by the end of the 2000-01 school year. Furthermore, an additional grant of £30 per pupil is paid in respect of all pupils of schools designated as disadvantaged.
Local authority service and other charges payable to the various local authorities do not come within the remit of my Department. It would be a matter for the local authorities to decide whether schools are liable to pay such charges. Where it is decided that schools are liable for such charges, the cost would form part of the normal running costs of schools and would fall to be met from the capitation funding which schools have received from my Department.
It would not be feasible for my Department to introduce specific schemes whereby grant assistance would be provided to schools in respect of individual charges such as water or refuse charges.
