John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the numbers using school transport for each year since 1997; the amount spent on the school transport system since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14271/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The number of pupils availing of school transport services in a school year varies from time to time. Accordingly, the figures set out below are averages of pupils availing of the service within the years mentioned.

The figures are as follows:

1997 — 160,000;

1998 — 154,000;

1999 — 145,000;

2000 — 139,000;

2001 — 140,000;

2002 — 136,000; and

2003 — 138,000.

Expenditure in the same years was as follows:

1997 — €49.572 million;

1998 — €51.201 million;

1999 — €57.978 million;

2000 — €65.082 million;

2001 — €77.058 million;

2002 — €95.986 million; and

2003 — €101.734 million.