andMr. Gallagher asked the Minister for Education if he will state the increases authorised by his Department for the carriage of fare-paying primary and post-primary pupils on special school transport services since September, 1976.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Transport Service.
18.
The fares payable per term by fare-paying pupils on special school buses were increased as follows from April, 1977:
Primary Pupils: from £2.25 to £3.50 where there is one member of a family travelling, and from £1.50 to £2.50 where there are more than one member of a family travelling.
Post-primary Pupils: from £3.00 to £4.50 where there is one member of a family travelling and from £2.10 to £3.50 where there are more than one member of a family travelling.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary explain why the Department have increased fares in rural areas while at the same time they have reduced them in Dublin?
These fares have been fairly static since 1972 or 1973. There was an increase in September, 1976, and another increase in April, 1977. In view of the number of journeys and the total mileage travelled during a term to which the fares apply, I am sure the Deputy will agree that they are quite low. For instance, in the case of a primary pupil who is the only member of his family travelling by bus, the fare is 27p per week. In the case of a primary pupil where there is more than one member of the family travelling by bus the fare is 19p per week. The figures are slightly higher in the case of post-primary pupils where the distances are much longer but when one looks at the distances involved one realises the fares are very reasonable.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary accept that it is rather strange that the fares for Dublin children are reduced while those for children in rural areas are being increased?
We have had that question already. This is repetition.
Is it being done to balance losses in the Dublin area?
No, that is not the motive. In any event, Dublin pupils do not have school buses and, therefore, they do not have the possibility of getting on as concessionary passengers. They have to travel on the normal scheduled services. Any Dublin Deputy present will be able to vouch for the fact that Dublin children are certainly not getting away with paying 27p per week to travel to school. The figure would be much higher. The Deputy will appreciate that the fare for children in rural areas is reasonable.
It is discrimination.
That is not so.