Schools in the Cork City are currently more than €200,000 in arrears in water charges owed to the city council.

Following a question from Deputy Lord Mayor Patricia Gosch to City Manager Joe Gavin, Mr Gavin revealed that currently €217,674.35 was owed by a number of schools in the council's area. Mr Gavin also stated that the less than half of schools were in arrears and those that were had either made some payments or were in discussion with the council regarding their situation.

There are currently 84 schools in the Cork city area that must pay water charges to the city council. Under a new water pricing policy introduced nationally two years ago, schools are now regarded in the same way as businesses when it comes to water charges.

The change in policy has placed many schools under increased financial pressure to meet day-to-day running costs which must be met out of capitation grants which are supposed to be for educational materials. Schools also face rising bills for electricity, heating, insurance and running repairs which are also likely to increase since the cancellation of the schools summer works programme.

Commenting on the figures, Cllr Gosch said, "This is a growing problem for many school, particularly those in less well-off areas who cannot raise as much money from parents to help with costs.

"Of course they shouldn't have to raise funds themselves at all. I am calling on the Government to urgently address this issue which I'm sure will begin to have a negative impact on the funds available to many schools for the education of our children".

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