Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans to implement the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Science report on school transport; the reason for the delay in considering these recommendations and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9726/04]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Following a review of the school transport scheme and taking into consideration the recommendations of the joint Oireachtas committee report on school transport, a number of improvements were introduced in 2001. These included reducing the qualifying distance for eligibility for school transport for primary school pupils aged ten and over from three to two miles, so that all primary pupils are treated equally for eligibility purposes. The number of eligible primary pupils required to establish a new bus service was reduced from ten to seven. The threshold for maintaining a service was reduced to four eligible pupils provided at least six fare-paying pupils are using the service.

The scope of the remote area grants, payable to pupils in certain circumstances, was extended and the rate payable increased. The travelling and waiting time for post-primary pupils was reduced from three to 2.5 hours. Where feasible students who are on the early pick-up from their homes are the first to be dropped home in the evening and vice versa.

In order to increase transparency in the system and to demonstrate that appeals are treated in an equitable and objective manner, an independent appeals board was established in 2003 to facilitate those who wish to appeal decisions on transport services. Since January 2002, Bus Éireann has replaced more than 200 older school buses, thereby improving the quality of buses in service. All school transport vehicles have been provided with a communication system to enable the driver to have ready access to the depot.

Other issues raised by the committee, including those concerning safety, are continually under review in my Department. Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, places special emphasis on safety. To ensure a safe and reliable service, it has a wide range of checking procedures in place, which are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that standards are met. Bus Éireann is fully compliant with all relevant regulations as laid down by the Department of Transport.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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In response to another parliamentary question on this matter on 19 February, the Minister of State said she was finalising a review designed to identify efficiencies and savings within the school transport service. Will the Minister of State elaborate on the objective behind this review, as my understanding of that is that there will be a cutback in the service currently provided? Would the Minister agree that it can only mean that either the Government will dramatically increase the charges families have to pay for the school transport service or school transport services will have to be cut back?

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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To provide school transport nationally, in 1997 less than £50 million was spent on school transport. In 2004 this will be more than €100 million. The Deputy spoke about the charges to students to use these buses. This contributes only total €6 million per annum of the €100 million needed to run the service. We needed a review of how best to continue to provide a service that enables children to get to school. Another issue to be taken into account in looking at the cost of such a service is the mileage, cost of fuel, insurance, maintenance and labour costs.

Some 9,000 children with special needs out of 140,000 students use the service. Some 30% of the budget of €100 million is allocated to providing the service for special needs students. I am looking at every facet of school transport. A number of recommendations made both by me and the joint committee have already been implemented, including the appeals system, which I am sure the Deputy would support.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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I take it that included in the Minister of State's considerations are increases to the charges which families must face. Since 1997 how many additional children are now being transported to school? The Minister of State mentioned the concern of parents, the biggest of which is the lack of seatbelts on primary school buses. While parents bringing children to school must have seatbelts or risk getting penalty points, the Department of Education and Science does not require seatbelts. Although the EU will shortly issue a recommendation, it will not affect secondhand buses in the school transport system, many of which are substandard.

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy asked for the facts and figures on the school transport system. Some 140,000 schoolchildren travel every day and almost 2,900 buses service more than 5,000 routes. Of the 2.900 buses, 2,300 are owned by approximately 1.150 private contractors. In the region of 9,000 children with special needs are included in the overall figure of 140,000.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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What has been the increase since 1997?

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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We must proceed to the next question.

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I am not allowed to answer.