Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2006
474 Ms Hoctor asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has made budgetary arrangements for schools to take account of the increased costs to them on foot of the obligation of local authorities and county councils to place water meters in all non-domestic buildings; if her Department is to enter into talks with the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11914/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary schools' running costs are met by my Department's scheme of capitation grants. These grants are intended to contribute towards the general operating costs of national schools. The capitation grant has been increased substantially in recent years. Since 1997, the standard rate of capitation grant has been increased from €57.14 per pupil to €133.58 with effect from 1 January 2005 and has been further increased by €12 per pupil with effect from 1 January 2006, bringing the standard rate to €145.58. This represents an increase of almost 155% in the standard rate of capitation grant since 1997.
Local authority service and other charges payable to the various local authorities do not come within the remit of my Department. It would be a matter for the local authorities to decide the way in which schools pay such charges. Where it is decided that schools are liable for such charges, the cost would form part of the normal running costs of schools and would fall to be met from the capitation funding which schools have received 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 charges.
