Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Transport if the rebate on excise duty on fuel used in passenger transport services is to end; if the private transport sector has been advised; if alternative measures will be put in place as many of these operators have already signed contracts and set fare levels for 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30507/07]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether the removal of the refund on excise duty on fuel used in passenger transport services will cause hardship for the industry; the alternative scheme he will introduce following the discontinuation of the rebate of excise duty on fuel used in the passenger transport service; when the new scheme will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30815/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 295 together.

I refer the Deputies to the Minister for Finance's reply to Question No. 64 which he answered on 22nd November 2007.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Transport if he plans to grant all primary and secondary school students free travel on public transport during school hours in order to ease traffic congestion; his views on such a move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30528/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Commuting by private car is growing in Ireland and our economic success and growing population has contributed to the increase in transport demand. One such area relates to school travel. Figures from the 2006 Census indicates that the percentage of primary school children being driven to school by car has risen to 55% in 2006 compared to 27.7% in 1991.

The Transport 21 investment programme is providing significant public transport benefits and it also includes proposals to manage travel demand. There are also a number of initiatives targeted at school children to reduce reliance on the car as a mode of transport. My Department has provided funding to the Dublin Transportation Office (DTO) who have introduced measures in schools to increase the number of children who walk and cycle, improve safety on the school run, reduce school-related congestion and improve physical health and fitness. The programme has been very successful and currently has 29 schools with a combined student population of approximately 10,400 with 545 teachers. A further roll-out of the programme is being considered at present.

The Minister for Education and Science is responsible for the school transport scheme and there are no plans at present to extend the existing free transport in urban areas for certain school children. The Government is committed to delivering a Sustainable Travel and Transport Action Plan, which will consider all policies impacting on travel demand. This will be published in 2008 after a full public consultation process and issues such as free transport for schoolchildren in urban areas can be considered further in that context.