Transitional "flat-rate" water charges for schools announced by the Government at the end of last week will create serious problems for many voluntary secondary schools which are already underfunded by a margin of €100 per pupil per year, according to school managers.
Ferdia Kelly, general secretary of the Joint Managerial Body which represents 400 voluntary secondary schools, said the fact that schools will be required to pay the full cost of water services on a metered basis from January 1st, 2010 will place "an impossible burden" on his members.
He also warned that without an immediate increase in funding, these schools will have to engage in further fundraising and will be forced to depend "even more" on the goodwill of parents.
Under the new arrangements, which will be applied retrospectively and are aimed in part at easing the financial burden placed on schools in the medium term, the fees for 2007 will be €3 per year per pupil enrolled. This will rise to €3.50 per pupil this year, and €4 per pupil next year.
But Mr Kelly called on the Government to immediately bring forward a programme to fund water conservation measures in schools and "not simply talk about preparing an information package as the Government's press statement promises".
He said schools must be given real increases in capitation grants to allow them pay for water charges, and said the Summer Works Scheme should be restored to enable the introduction of water conservation measures such as push taps, timers on urinals and restrictors on flushers.
Mr Kelly's comments follow similar criticism of the Government's announcement of the new arrangements, which was led by Opposition politicians and the the Irish National Teachers Organisation at primary level.
Meanwhile, Co Galway based Fine Gael Senator Fidelma Healy Eames claimed over the weekend that the Government could find itself the subject of a legal challenge arising from the move.
This was because it has a constitutional obligation to adequately fund education but was charging for an "essential life resource", she said.