CASH STRAPPED SCHOOLS are going to have to cut back on resources in order to pay the new metered water charges being introduced by Wicklow County Council.

Deputy Joe Behan said the uneven charges being levied on schools around the country is not only unfair but will also see educational resources being diverted to local county councils.

' I think it is unfair to pick on schools in this way and it is also unfair to expect them to fork out very uneven charges across the country. Our neighbouring county, Kildare, which probably benefits in some way from Wicklow water, only has a rate of € 1.49 that is half that being imposed on Wicklow schools.

' The grant aid received by schools is the very same across the board where you are at the high end of the scale or the low end and Wicklow schools don't get any additional help. Until we get to grips with the water crisis in the country I think a flat rate should be applicable throughout the country.'

Deputy Behan who is on a leave of absence from his post as principal in St. Fergal's N. S. in Bray, said a lot of schools have been taking measures to reduce their water consumption and Wicklow County Council have been cooperating with these measures.

' I think that currently schools are very badly strapped for cash and grants are being decreased all the time. The water charges being introduced will see resources needed for the education of children being diverted to propping up Wicklow County Council. I don't think that's acceptable and especially when there is a varied rate being levied on schools around the country.'

Deputy Behan said that a national debate on issues such as water charges needed to take place and he acknowledged the need to increase the tax base but said that things like education needed to be prioritized.

He also said that with the current embargo preventing schools from filling middle management posts schools are already suffering and said that unless there are good educational structures in place it will be very hard to get out of the current economic climate.

HOW THE NEIGHBOURING LOCAL AUTHORITIES COMPARE PER CUBIC METRE: WICKLOW - € 3.04

WEXFORD - € 2.71

DUN LAOIGHAIRE RATHDOWN - € 2.34

CARLOW - € 2.30

SOUTH DUBLIN - € 1.76

DUBLIN CITY - € 1.64

KILDARE - € 1.49