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Senator Mark Daly says rain water can calm the storm about water rates for schools.

{18th December 10am} Senator Mark Daly believes that recycling rain water can solve the issues surrounding the controversial water rates for schools. Speaking today in Kenmare Senator Daly said “Grants need to be made available to schools to allow for the recycling of rain water which would end the need for water rates”. Senator Daly does not support the charging of water rates to schools in any sense. The Senator continued on to say that unless the issue is sorted out it will overshadow all other issues in the run up to voting on the European Treaty.

The controversy concerning water rates for schools saw a u-turn last week when the European Commission backtracked on its earlier declaration that the Government can exempt schools from paying water charges, which now leaves some facing bills of €10,000 a year. Daly has said that speaking with many people from Kerry this weekend has shown that the Irish people will not forgive the EU for a reversal on a decision that affects every child in the country. The Senator has criticised the Commission for going back on its word and has called on them to repair the situation which has left many schools in limbo, unsure whether or not their rates will need to be paid.

Senator Daly has slated water rates for schools in any sense, “Schools should not have to pay one euro, not one cent in water rates. Schools are not for profit and provide an essential service to the community. It makes no sense for them to be treated as commercial enterprises”.

Daly has endorsed a common sense proposal to assist schools that are confronted by huge bills. “Existing schools should qualify for a grant to allow them to recycle rain water and all new builds must allow for the system. The design for the new national school in Kenmare has not allowed for this recycling method and if it is not added now it may have to be adjusted at a later stage at a far greater cost. With the large number of new schools being built next year it is vital that the recycling systems are added to the plans”.

Senator Daly is 100% behind Pobalscoil Inbhear Scéine who have said they will not pay any water rates bill. Speaking as the principal of the only second level school in Kerry awarded a “Green Flag” (a sign of a highly environmentally friendly school), Mr. Dermot Healy has said that the school will not consider paying any water rates and that it makes far more sense to have a recycling system is put in place in the school to cut water costs.

Senator Daly is calling on county councils, the Department of Education and the Department of the Environment to work together to find funding for the proposed grants to save schools from serious financial difficulties. “Considering the essential service provided by the town’s schools, it is not good enough to allow them to face hardship over water rates, these charges must be dropped immediately”.

Senator Daly concluded his comments by expressing his concern that the upcoming European Treaty would be overshadowed by the question of water rates, he advocates a quick resolution to the issue so that the Treaty can be properly discussed and reviewed when the campaign begins. Daly warns that if Europe lets the people of Ireland down on the matter of water rates, there will be no support for Europe or the Treaty when the time comes to vote.

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