Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of students who travel on a school bus to school in each of the counties Cavan and Monaghan; his views on whether the increased school bus charges will cause financial pressure to parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23921/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme, on behalf of my Department, has advised that the number of tickets issued to post primary pupils in Cavan and Monaghan, as of 31/12/2008, were 1,959 and 2,219 respectively. The number of tickets issued to primary pupils for Cavan and Monaghan in 2007 was 1,952 and 1,631 respectively; more recent figures are not readily available.

The revised annual charges for school transport have been confined to eligible post-primary children and children availing of concessionary transport. Charges for school transport 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.

School transport ticket invoices for the 2009/2010 School Year will be issued by Bus Éireann in July 2009. The payment options being offered to parents are as follows: - Payment of the full amount by the deadline date of 31 July 2009 - Spreading the amount due over two payments payable in July and December 2009. Parents who pay the full annual charge, in advance, will benefit from ticket(s) being issued for the full school year. This arrangement includes pupils on concessionary travel.

Parents who pay 50% of the annual amount by the deadline date of 31 July, 2009 will be issued with a ticket valid for travel up to 22 December, 2009. The balance due must be paid by 4th December, 2009. Upon receipt of this payment a second ticket valid for travel up to the end of the school year in June, 2010 will be issued.

On-line payment facilities have been introduced by Bus Éireann to make it more convenient for parents to make their payment from home, if desired. This facility is made available when ticket invoices are issued and the option to use a credit or debit card is offered.

While I appreciate the Deputy's concerns, given the factors that I have outlined, it is not envisaged that there will be a change in the payment arrangements as outlined above.