Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 May 2008
265 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21255/08]
View answer266 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21256/08]
View answer267 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21257/08]
View answer268 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21258/08]
View answer269 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6W paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21259/08]
View answer270 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21260/08]
View answer271 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21261/08]
View answer272 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6W paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21262/08]
View answer273 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21263/08]
View answer274 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21264/08]
View answer275 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21265/08]
View answer276 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21266/08]
View answer277 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21267/08]
View answer278 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21268/08]
View answer279 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21269/08]
View answer280 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21270/08]
View answer281 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21271/08]
View answer282 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21272/08]
View answer283 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21273/08]
View answer284 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21274/08]
View answer285 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21275/08]
View answer286 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6W paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21276/08]
View answer287 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21277/08]
View answer288 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21278/08]
View answer289 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21279/08]
View answer290 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21280/08]
View answer291 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21281/08]
View answer292 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21282/08]
View answer293 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21283/08]
View answer294 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21284/08]
View answer295 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21285/08]
View answer296 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21286/08]
View answer297 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21287/08]
View answer298 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21288/08]
View answer299 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21289/08]
View answer300 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21290/08]
View answer301 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21291/08]
View answer302 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21292/08]
View answer303 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 12 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21293/08]
View answer304 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21294/08]
View answer305 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21295/08]
View answer306 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21296/08]
View answer307 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21297/08]
View answer308 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 6W paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21298/08]
View answer309 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21299/08]
View answer310 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21300/08]
View answer311 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 8 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21301/08]
View answer312 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 20 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21302/08]
View answer313 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21303/08]
View answer314 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount a school (details supplied) in Dublin 10 paid each year for the past five years in water charges; and the additional funding he will allocate the schools to pay for these non-educational costs. [21304/08]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 265 to 314, inclusive, together.
There is currently no requirement for primary schools to submit copies of itemised bills to my Department. Section 18 of the Education Act, 1998 and Section 19 of "The Constitution of Boards and Rules of Procedure" handbook sets out the responsibilities of boards of management for maintaining school accounts.
I am aware of the cost pressures on schools, including those arising from water charges, and it is for this reason that it is a priority for Government to improve funding for the day-to-day running costs of schools. Specific commitments in relation to improving school funding form a central part of the education provisions of the Programme for Government. These commitments are a direct follow on from the clear thrust of Government policy over recent years to improve the position of schools and primary schools in particular.
Primary schools are now getting over €178 per pupil to meet their day to day running costs — an increase of nearly 70% on the 2002 rate of €105 and €15 more per child than they got last year. Post-primary schools have also seen improvements in funding and through a similar €15 increase this year now receive €331 per pupil. As the Deputy will be aware, we are committed to doubling the capitation grant for primary schools over the lifetime of the Programme for Government.
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. The minor works grant has increased by nearly 50% over the past two years and some €27m issued to primary schools at the end of last year for that purpose.
The Government agreed a transition period to full water charges in the case of non-fee charging recognised schools and 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. Guidance was also recently 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.
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.
