Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. However, it does not set out or allay the fears of thousands of hard-pressed parents. We are discussing the 2010 to 2011 school year but we really want to know about the following academic year. Will the Minister of State reject any proposals by the Department of Finance to increase the fee from €300 to €500?

Only 125,000 people are availing of school transport, a number which has decreased by 10,000 because the fee has increased by 203% from €99 to €300 already. People are using their own transport or that of other parents and friends. The viability of school transport in rural areas as we know it will be undermined. Will the Minister of State allay the fears of the parents that the fee will be increased?

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