Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We do not have the figures yet, because even though the closing date for payments was 31 July, quite a few people paid in August. Also, some routes are still being sorted out and some cases are still being dealt with. Deputies and Senators would be aware of this because they are raising these matters with us directly as are people involved. Therefore, we will not have the full figures for this year until near the end of the year.

The question asked was whether savings are being achieved or whether numbers have changed. The Deputy's concern seems to relate to the reduction in the number of buses. We are working from estimates. We estimate that fewer than 500 school children would be affected by changes relating to the size of buses, but again we will not have the full detail on this for another couple of months. I will come back to the Deputy with the details then. The issue raised is a concessionary one also. The numbers affected by that will increase as the years go on.