James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford can justify an almost 100% increase in school transport charges from €168 to €300, in respect of their children who live four miles from their school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9105/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The costs in school transport, a service delivered by Bus Éireann 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.