Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 492: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the doubling of school bus fees; and the number of students who avail of this service by county. [9505/09]

Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 548: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will introduce a waiver scheme for the increased school transport charges in respect of pupils whose parents and guardians are not in employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9893/09]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 555: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on introducing a waiver scheme in respect of charges under the school transport scheme. [9933/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 492, 548 and 555 together.

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 (breakdown by county not readily available), 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.

In order to minimise the overall impact of these charges on families:

the increases will apply to the 55,000 eligible post primary pupils and children availing of concessionary transport;

Primary school transport remains free of charge for over 54,500 children;

Parents will be offered the option to spread the amount due over two payments payable in July and December;

A maximum family payment of €650 will apply;

Charges continue to be waived in the case of eligible post-primary children where the family is in possession of a valid medical card.

The overall spend on school transport in 2009 is now estimated to be €194m — a reduction of €2m in the revised allocations as a result of efficiencies. This represents a significant increase of over €84m (over 77%) since 2004, up from €109.8m.

Taking into all the factors outlined, it is not envisaged that there will be a reduction in the annual charge system, the estimated expenditure or the level of 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.