Written answers

Tuesday, 23 May 2006

Department of Education and Science

School Transport

9:00 pm

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 500: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of concessionary tickets which have been and will be withdrawn nationally as a result of the decision to allow one child per seat with seatbelts; the action she intends to take to provide alternative transport for these children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19634/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available.

I should point out that concessionary transport is not guaranteed. Pupils availing of transport on a concessionary basis may only do so if spare seats are available on school buses and this is determined on a term-to-term basis by reference to those who are fully eligible for transport under the terms of the school transport scheme.

The introduction of one-for-one seating arrangements on school transport services operated by Bus Éireann on my Department's behalf does not necessarily mean that concessionary transport will be discontinued. The availability of such transport depends on the number of spare seats available after all other eligible pupils have been accommodated.

Parents of pupils should check in advance of the school year to ascertain the position regarding the availability of concessionary transport on school buses.

Significant investment has been made by the Government to address capacity shortfalls arising from the phasing out of the three for two seating arrangement on school buses. A programme for Bus Éireann to acquire a number of new and modern second-hand buses is well advanced. In addition, Bus Éireann has hired-in over 220 additional vehicles from the private sector and the situation is being kept under review.

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