Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his proposals to alleviate the plight of families who are unable to pay the recently increased school transport charges of €300; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7208/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Budget 2009 increase in charges applies from the start of the 2009/2010 school year. These charge increases apply to the 55,000 eligible post primary and children availing of concessionary transport. The amount may be paid in full on or before the 31 July, 2009 in which case an annual ticket for the full school year will be issued. Alternatively, 50% of the annual amount due may be paid by the deadline date of 31 July, 2009, in which case a ticket valid for travel up to 22 December, 2009 will be issued. In this instance the balance due must be paid by 4th December, 2009. Upon receipt of this payment a second ticket, valid for travel up to the end of the school year in June, 2010 will be issued.

Charges will continue to be waived in the case of eligible post-primary children where the family is in possession of a valid medical card or over a further 19,000 children. Eligible children attending primary schools and children with special needs or about 54,000 children will still travel free. A maximum family rate of €650 will also be applied. The new charges from parents will still only represent about 7% of the overall allocation for school transport in 2009.