Results 1-9 of 9 for segment:1741731 in 'Dáil debates'

School Transport. (30 Mar 2004)

Denis Naughten: 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]

School Transport. (30 Mar 2004)

Síle de Valera: 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...

School Transport. (30 Mar 2004)

Denis Naughten: 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...

School Transport. (30 Mar 2004)

Síle de Valera: 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...

School Transport. (30 Mar 2004)

Denis Naughten: 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...

School Transport. (30 Mar 2004)

Síle de Valera: 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.

School Transport. (30 Mar 2004)

Denis Naughten: What has been the increase since 1997?

School Transport. (30 Mar 2004)

Séamus Pattison: We must proceed to the next question.

School Transport. (30 Mar 2004)

Síle de Valera: I am not allowed to answer.