Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 522: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the decrease in the number of students using school transport in the 2009-10 year compared with the previous school year; if she considers this to be linked to the increase in school transport fees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23319/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The revised annual charges for school transport have been confined to eligible and concessionary post-primary children (€300) and primary children availing of concessionary transport (€200). 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 also applies.

Bus Éireann which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department confirmed that the overall decrease in the number of students using school transport was approx. 10,000 (or 7%) when compared with the 2008/20009 figure of approx. 135,000 using the service.

This decrease occurred at post primary level while the numbers of eligible primary students using the school transport service increased slightly and the numbers of children with special educational needs remained consistent.

It is considered that the decrease in the uptake of school transport services at post primary level was due in part to the increased post primary charges in 2009/2010.