Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will review his decision to increase school transport costs to parents, many of whom are facing financial hardship as a result of this cut-back; if he has plans to review this decision in the near future, taking account of the hardship and negative impact it is having on parents in rural areas; his views on amending the payment arrangements from the structure which requires payment at September and Christmas which are two points of considerable expenditure for parents and spread the cost over several additional months to reduce impact on hard pressed families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21427/09

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The school transport scheme, which is operated by Bus Éireann on my Department's behalf, facilitates the transportation of over 135,000 children to primary and post-primary schools each day. School transport is a very significant operation involving about 42 million journeys and over 82 million kilometres on 6,000 routes every school year.

The cost of school transport in 2009 is now estimated to be €192 million. However, this still represents a significant increase of over €82 million (over 75%) since 2004, up from €109.8 million. Costs in school transport have been increasing arising from a range of issues. These include the phasing out of the 3 for 2 seating arrangement on both primary and post-primary services and 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. Increases in rates for private contractors in the 2000-2007 period and increased demands to meet the needs of special needs children and parental choice of school have also impacted on school transport costs.

I wish to point out that, despite the escalating costs of the service, charges for school transport had not been increased from 1998 until the third school term in the 2007/08 school year. A further increase was put in place at the start of the 2008/09 school year and the new charges come into effect from September 2009.

The total contribution of charges from parents in 2009 will still only represent about 8.6% of the overall expenditure for school transport.

In the overall context and in order to minimise the overall effects, charge increases have been confined to the eligible post-primary and children availing of concessionary transport. Charges continue to be waived in the case of eligible post-primary children where the family is in possession of a valid medical card. Eligible children attending primary schools and children with special needs will still travel free. A maximum family rate of €650 will also be applied.

Parents are also being given the option of spreading the amount due over two payments payable in July and December 2009. Those who pay the full annual charge, in advance, will benefit from a ticket being issued for the school year and this includes pupils on concessionary travel.

While I appreciate the Deputy's concerns, given the factors that I have outlined, it is not envisaged that there will be a reduction in the annual charge system, the estimated expenditure or a change in the payment arrangements. 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.