Written answers

Wednesday, 4 March 2009

Department of Education and Science

School Transport

9:00 pm

Photo of Emmet StaggEmmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 161: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason transport costs for pupils in Ticknevin, Carbury, County Kildare, attending a school (details supplied) in County Offaly have risen from €33 per annum in 2006, to €126 per annum in 2007, to €168 per annum in 2008 and to more than €300 per annum in 2009; and if he will reduce the transport chargers being imposed. [9024/09]

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Budget 2009 increases in school transport charges will apply from the start of the 2009/10 school year. The annual charges in 2006 and 2007 were in fact €99 and €138 respectively.

In order to minimise the overall impact, these charge increases will apply to the 55,000 eligible post-primary pupils and children availing of concessionary transport. 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. A maximum family rate of €650 will also be applied. My Department has also given parents the option of spreading the amount over two payments due in July and December 2009.

The costs in school transport, a service delivered by Bus Eireann on behalf of my Department, have been increasing arising from a range of issues such as: — In 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 €194m — a reduction of €2m 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.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.