Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total funding provided for the school transport scheme for 2011; the total funding raised by charges on parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40694/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 133: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the expenditure to date for the school transport scheme for 2011; the expected expenditure by the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40695/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.

The 2011 allocation for school transport services is nearly €180 million. My Department's expenditure on the School Transport Scheme was €155.2m to the end of November 2011. The expenditure to the year end will be in the region of €172m. This expenditure provides for all aspects of school transport provision including the payment of grants. The income generated by pupil charges is estimated at some €11.5m in respect of 2011.