Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 390: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself with the level and quality of services offered by Bus Éireann here; his views on the company's role as part of the Government's overall strategy to deliver quality public transport into the 21st century in view of the fact that so little funding was allocated to it under his new transport plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33977/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Bus Éireann will continue to play an important role in the provision of bus services outside Dublin in future years. I have already indicated that, under Transport 21, urban bus services will be upgraded and the future development of quality bus corridors, green routes and park and ride facilities will be supported in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. I have also committed to the upgrade of regional and local bus services. Significant funding has been provided for this purpose and my Department will shortly hold discussions with Bus Éireann on the most effective allocation of these funds.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of buses in the Bus Éireann fleet; the number of buses in the fleet which are school buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33981/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by Bus Éireann that the number of buses in the Bus Éireann fleet is 1,356, of which 662 are school buses.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 392: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received requests from Dublin Bus since 2001 to provide funding for additional buses to its fleet; the date of such requests and the responses given by his Department in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33989/05]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 397: To ask the Minister for Transport if further resources will be provided to Dublin Bus in addition to the 20 announced new buses in order that they can expand their fleet of buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34029/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 397 together.

The evaluation of the public transport investment programme carried out by Indecon Economic Consultants in 2002 stated that due to a lack of garage capacity further expansion of the bus fleet in Dublin was not possible. My Department provided approximately €20 million in Exchequer funding to meet the capital cost of a new garage. It was constructed at Harristown and commenced operations in November 2004. The garage can cater for 240 buses and has been operating 200 buses since November 2004.

My Department has held extensive discussions with Dublin Bus during 2005 on the future direction of the bus market in Dublin. Dublin Bus was also requested to carry out a review of the bus network in Dublin. This was in recognition of the significant changes that have taken place in Dublin since the start of the national development plan, including substantial increases in rail capacity such as Luas, commuter rail services and the DART upgrades, together with ongoing demographic changes and in recognition of the need to maximise the benefit of any Exchequer investment. The company has advised me that the review will be completed early next year. The company is, in the first instance, assessing how to maximise the utilisation of its existing bus fleet. No funding for additional buses was provided to the company from the Exchequer while the review was taking place.

Transport 21 makes significant provision for investment in buses in Dublin and provincial areas. The quality bus corridor network in Dublin will be at least doubled over the ten years to 2015 to improve the quality, reliability and efficiency of bus services.

In this regard, I have responded to the only application I have from Dublin Bus by approving funding for 20 additional buses as the first element in the expansion of bus services in Dublin. Officials in my Department will be meeting again with the management of Dublin Bus in the coming weeks to discuss the further expansion of bus services in Dublin in the context of the network review.