Written answers
Tuesday, 21 June 2005
Department of Education and Science
School Transport
10:00 pm
Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 537: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary, post-primary and special needs pupils availing of the school transport service in each year from and including 1996-97 to date for each group; the cost of the service in each year; the parental contribution in each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20823/05]
Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, 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 following figures are averages of pupils availing of the service within the years mentioned.
| Year | Primary | post-primary pupils |
| 1997 | 64,000 | 96,000 |
| 1998 | 61,000 | 93,000 |
| 1999 | 59,000 | 86,000 |
| 2000 | 60,000 | 79,000 |
| 2001 | 60,000 | 80,000 |
| 2002 | 59,000 | 77,000 |
| 2003 | 60,000 | 78,000 |
| 2004 | 60,000 | 78,000 |
The number of children with special needs availing of school transport for all of the above years is not readily available. However, between 8,000 and 9,000 children with special needs are currently availing of school transport services. Total 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. 2003 €101.734 million. 2004 €109.845 million. The parental contribution was in excess of €6 million for each of the above years.
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