Jonathan O'Brien
Question:465. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of schools which have higher than acceptable levels of lead in their water supply; and the locations of same. [7053/15]
View answerTuesday, 17 February 2015
Questions (465, 466)
Jonathan O'Brien
Question:466. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the seven schools in County Kilkenny with higher than acceptable levels of lead in their water supply; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that they have been told by Irish Water to find a new supply; and the funding options open to them to replace the piping that is causing the excessive lead levels and to rectify the problem. [7054/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 465 and 466 together. The day to day management of schools is done at local school level. The type of information sought by the Deputy in relation to water quality is therefore held at local school level rather than centrally within my Department. However, if a school authority has concerns about the quality of the drinking water on its school premises, it should consult, in the first instance, with its local authority and/or Irish Water for advice. The school authority may also wish to arrange for testing of the drinking water within the school by an accredited independent testing laboratory.
Following independent testing of the drinking water system, if metal exceedance or other problems are identified, the school authority should submit an Emergency Works application for remedial works to address the problems.
My Department has recently been contacted by a school management authority in County Kilkenny in relation to lead exceedance in their drinking water. The school authority has been advised to submit an Emergency Works application for funding to address the issue and as soon as this application is received it will be assessed and the school authority advised of the outcome.