Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 488: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to raise the cost of the school transport scheme to €500; if she will rule out this fare increase in the next budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22797/10]

Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 521: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the proposals under consideration to raise school transport from €300 to €500; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23311/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 488 and 521 together.

The arrangements currently in place for school transport annual charges, namely €300 per eligible and concessionary post primary pupil, €200 for concessionary primary pupil, and a maximum family charge of €650 will remain in place for the 2010/2011 school year.

The McCarthy report made recommendations to levy charges, at both primary and post primary level, at a rate of €500 per annum per child or 50% of the full economic cost of providing the service, with the exemption for social welfare recipients continuing to apply.

The recommendations in the McCarthy report fall to be considered as part of the annual estimates and budget process. It would not be appropriate to comment specifically on whether any of these recommendations or indeed other expenditure issues will be included in next years estimates and budget prior to Government consideration and decisions on estimates 2011.