Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

It is timely that we have this debate now to focus minds on this issue again, particularly in light of the tragedies that occurred over the last year in Meath and Offaly. I am sure the Minister was anxious to come to the House to outline her views and the progress to date with the school transport system. I will use some headlines from her speech to show what progress has been made. As the Minister said, more must be done but it would be wrong to suggest that nothing has been done.

I wish to put on record what the Government and the Minister of State, Deputy de Valera, have done and are doing in this area. The Minister has shown sensitivity and compassion with regard to the tragedies that have occurred with school buses. To allay the fears of parents, the Minister is working hard to ensure there is an upgraded transport system to carry schoolchildren to and from school.

One of the headlines in the Minister's speech relates to the cost of the school transport service and how much has been put into improving it. In 1997, expenditure on school transport was €49 million; today it is €152 million. A great deal of money has been spent on improving the service. One might ask how the money is being spent.