asked the Minister for Education the cost of the provision of school buses for the whole country since the inception of the school transport scheme; the method whereby bus operators are paid; and if they are paid monthly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Transport.
34.
The cost of providing post-primary transport from 1st April, 1967, when the scheme commenced, up to the end of March, 1968, was £972,765 6s. During the same period transport to national schools cost £267,436 11s 1d.
School bus operators working under contract to CIE are paid on the basis of negotiated rates which have regard to the various factors involved, such as the mileage covered and the type of vehicle used. Payment is made by cheque direct from CIE to the contractors. As from 1st April, 1968, all contractors are being paid on a regular four-weekly basis.