Written answers

Thursday, 30 October 2008

Department of Education and Science

School Transport

6:00 pm

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount spent by his Department on transporting children in taxis or other private vehicles each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37701/08]

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of students who were provided with transportation in taxis or other forms of private vehicle by his Department each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37702/08]

Photo of Brian HayesBrian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 260: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the amount spent on staff hired specifically for accompanying children on private transport each year for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37703/08]

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 to 260, inclusive, together.

Figures available indicate that about 30% of the allocation for school transport is being expended on transport, including taxis and grants for children with special needs. The allocation for school transport in 2008 is €175.2 million. A breakdown of expenditure on taxis and private vehicles is not readily available for the past five years. This type of transport provision will be considered for some children with special needs for whom the general school transport arrangements are unsuitable.

The number of taxis engaged in the past years has increased from about 250 in 2004 to over 700 in 2008. Some of these taxis would be catering for more than one pupil. In addition grants were paid to over 440 families who use their private vehicles to transport children with special needs to an educational centre. The cost of employing escorts to cater for children with special needs, whose care requirements are such as to necessitate continuous support, has increased significantly in line with the growth in that service. At present, there are about 1,200 escorts employed at an annual cost of about €13 million.

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