The implementation of new systems for charging schools for water will cost Cork City Council in the region of €200,000 this year, City Manager Joe Gavin has confirmed.

The €200,000 cost results from an interim pricing system being brought in this year agreed by the Department of the Environment and the Department of Education. The interim pricing plan is part of a three-year change over period where fees will gradually be increased on schools until they become fully liable for water service charges.

The issue was raised at this week's meeting of Cork City Council by Fine Gael councillor Jim Corr.

Councillor Corr asked for confirmation from City Manager Joe Gavin that the new system would actually cost in the region of €200,000 which Mr Gavin said was the case. Cllr Corr then called on the City council to write to the Department requesting a full rebate for the cost of implementing the system.

Cllr Corr said that while he did not believe that schools should be faced with the costs at all, he also said that taxpayers should not end up footing the bill either. His Fine Gael colleague John Buttimer added that while water conservat5ion methods should be encouraged, there had been no commitment from the Government so far to financially aid schools to provide the infrastructure such as new taps, sinks and pipes to do so.

Independent councillor Dave McCarthy described the situation as "an insult" and asked "will we turn off the water for the schools that can't pay?"

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