John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We had a value for money review in 2011, which was a very comprehensive review of the scheme. We have not had a total review of the scheme since then, although we had a review of concessionaires. The Deputy may recall I invited representatives from the different parties to have an input into that review and many did so, including Deputy Carol Nolan, who sent in very interesting ideas. I want to make it clear that if a student cannot get to the nearest school and is eligible for school transport, the student is entitled to get to the next closest school. We attempt to review the scheme every year before the beginning of the school year to determine how many extra children are coming onto the scheme, including the number of concessionaires and special needs children, the number of carers of children with special needs, the number of buses and taxis and so on. It would not be possible to review everything when we consider the huge size of scheme.

The Deputy is correct that 99.9% of people will say it is a wonderful scheme and great value for money. The value for money review showed that if one was to drive rather than go on a bus or take a taxi, the average cost would be €1,200 per year, whereas for reasonable money people can avail of this service. We take submissions and ideas from Deputies all the time in order to help deliver the scheme better. We are always trying to deliver a better scheme. My problem is that there are financial restraints and criteria I am obliged to work under, given the terms of the value for money review of 2011, which, by the way, was passed by the Dáil. It is a good scheme. We carried out a review of the concessionaires. While we do not have it in mind to do another review at present, I would advise Deputies that, if they have ideas, suggestions or submissions, the Department would be delighted to hear from them.