Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

Yes. While it is understood that savings must be made, the feasibility should be investigated of making the requisite savings from the overall budget and then allocating the funding directly to schools which in turn could seek tenders from private contractors. Will the Minister of State investigate that proposal? The money being sought could be saved in a single year rather than over a number of years. Moreover, this proposal would ensure those people in rural areas who sought buses would get them.

In addition, is it possible to make available the details concerning the 150 routes that are to be lost next September? People in my constituency and elsewhere have raised this point with me and I wish to ascertain whether such information can be made available.

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