Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the nature of the school bus network review as reported in the national media, which is leading to amalgamations of routes across the State; if this is a nationwide review dealing with catchment areas and boundaries, the first since 1969 as this Deputy highlighted in 2004; if it is simply tinkering with the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3057/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Bus Éireann provides school transport services on behalf of my Department in the most efficient manner possible, within the criteria laid down by my Department.

The cost of school transport, including the cost of transport for children with special educational needs, has risen substantially, while the overall number of pupils carried has decreased by about 14% since 1997. Consequently, Bus Éireann has undertaken an exercise nationally, in conjunction with my Department, to review the school transport services network within the existing catchment areas.

The level of service will continue to be provided within the guidelines laid down under the school transport scheme and these services will be kept under review with a view to achieving further efficiencies.