asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the general dissatisfaction occasioned by the absence of a proper water supply for human consumption convenient to several national schools; and, if so, if he will make available more generous grants to local authorities to provide for public pumps to be erected near all national schools where, in the opinion of the county medical officer of health, a public pump is required.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Schools: Drinking Water.
I am aware that there are some national schools near which there is not a suitable supply of drinking water. I am advised, however, that in such cases, if a public water supply would serve households in the district as well as the school, the responsibility for its provision rests entirely on the local authority.
Where a supply of water is needed for the sole benefit of a vested national school a Grant-in-Aid towards its provision may be made by my Department. It is not open to my Department to allow grants for such purposes in the case of non-vested schools.
As the responsibility rests with the local authority, would the Minister not consider it desirable that before a school is sited the local authority would be consulted as to the site for which it has to supply water?