Mr. Tim Gaston:

The growth was phenomenal. The fact that it was four weeks seemed to catch people's imagination to a considerably greater extent than the two weeks. Irish Rail was up 131%, Luas was up 118%, Go-Ahead was up 110% and Bus Éireann was up 137%. There was a huge increase in the number of children travelling compared to the previous four-week period. Since then, we have done some analysis, which is hard and we do not want to ascribe too much to it. However, we have seen greater sales of Leap cards in August than is typical because it is over the school holiday period. Coming into September, card sales were still higher than they have ever been. The use of Leap is upward only at present. We will carry out more research to determine, if we can, how much of that is attributable to Kids Go Free. There is no doubt that there was more adult travel in that period and subsequently. What we are trying to do more than anything else is establish that travel habit for children. If children use public transport, they will continue to do so. That is why we discount child and student fares. We agree with the Deputy and would like to see the scheme expand.