Primary schools' running costs are met by my Department's scheme of capitation grants and the local contribution. The 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 standard rate of capitation grant has been increased substantially in recent years, from €57.14, £45, in 1997 to €111.58 in 2003. This represents an increase of 95% in the capitation grant over that period. Local authority service and other charges payable to the various local authorities do not come within the remit of my Department. Local authorities have to decide whether schools are liable to pay such charges. If it is decided that schools are liable for such charges, the cost forms part of the normal running costs of schools and are met from the capitation funding which schools receive 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.