The government has announced funding for small-scale schools projects under the 2010 Summer Works Scheme.

Water conservation measures will be funded as part of the scheme covering small-scale school projects such as gas, electrical and mechanical works, roof replacements and repairs, window replacement, toilet upgrades, structural improvements and access works.

"From January, all schools will be charged on the basis of how much water they use rather than how many pupils they have. Meters will be fitted on the water supply to schools to measure use,” said Minister O'Keeffe. Local authorities will install the meters, although most schools already have them. "We're already using state-of-the-art water conservation design approaches in our new schools and new school extensions as part of the standard low-energy school designs. Now, I want to focus on existing buildings and to minimise insofar as we can the impact of the new metering system on schools' budgets," he said.