Written answers
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Department of Education and Science
School Transport
10:00 pm
Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 464: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will consult with CIÃ and ask for a reduction of the cost of school transport to be implemented before the start of the 2009-10 school year in view of the 33% reduction in the cost of fuel, then stated as the reason for the increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8980/09]
Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The costs in school transport, a service delivered by Bus Ãireann on behalf of my Department, have been increasing arising from a range of issues such as ensuring a comfortable and safe transport service for over 135,000 children daily travelling to and from school, measures to ensure the highest standards including the phasing out of the 3 for 2 seating arrangement on both primary and post-primary services, providing all children with an adult seat each; the addition of a considerable number of vehicles to address capacity shortfalls arising from the decision to provide each child with an individual seat and the equipping of all dedicated school buses with safety belts; increased demands to meet the needs of special needs children; parental choice.
The overall spend in 2009 is now estimated to be â¬194 million â a reduction of â¬2 million in the revised allocations as a result of efficiencies. Furthermore, there have been increases in the school transport charges in the 2009 Budget. Taking into account the factors outlined, it is not envisaged that there will be a reduction in either the estimated expenditure or the charges. My Department has also commenced a Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme which is to be completed before the end of the year.
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