Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 October 2004
301 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position on water charges for national schools in view of the fact that many schools are struggling to raise funding from parents and friends; if this charge can be dropped from schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25740/04]
View answerThe national water pricing policy framework provides, in accordance with the EU water framework directive, for recovery by local authorities of the cost of providing water services from the users of these services, with the exception of households using the services for domestic purposes.
The policy framework also envisages the metering of all non-domestic users by 2006. This move to universal metering of non-domestic users, including schools, is intended to ensure that charges more fairly reflect actual usage.
