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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Oct 1992

Vol. 424 No. 2

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Transport.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

13 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education whether he has any proposals to improve the school bus service.

I would like to assure the Deputy that the overall operation of the school transport scheme is constantly under review to ensure that the best possible service is delivered. In this regard, the Deputy will be aware that I have recently commissioned a report on the operation of the scheme. On receipt of this report, I will consider what further action, if any, may be necessary.

When do the Department of Education propose to pay to Bus Éireann the £4.5 million owed to the company for the operation of the school transport service?

That is a detailed question for which I am sure I could easily get the information requested by the Deputy. It is not part of the original question put to me.

Deputy Higgins, you are required to ask a supplementary question.

As I understand it, the Department have certainly paid the company what they are due. Apparently, there is still some dispute about moneys but I should have to look up the figure for the Deputy because I do not have it with me.

Would the Minister accept that the school bus scheme, however desirable, is extremely expensive and that there are perhaps other ways of dealing with the transportation of children to school? For example, an overall subsidy could be given to each child living within the normal catchment area of the school bus service and it would then be up to students, either on a communal basis or on an individual basis, to make their own arrangements for getting to school. Would such a scheme not be much more economical and could that not be provided without there being a reduction in the quality of service in getting children to school?

As I said earlier, the scheme constitutes an investment of £37.5 million and I am determined that we obtain good value for that investment. That is why consultants are currently reviewing the scheme. I have given the consultants a specific brief in relation to devolution but I have left their examination open-ended in order that they can make any other recommendations they deem to be relevant. I have no doubt that the consultants will take account of what the Deputy has had to say today.

I am astonished to hear a representative of the Green Party urging subsidisation of private transport at the expense of public transport.

That is not what I said.

Does the Minister have any plans to end the school transport system and, if not, does he have any plans to provide the scheme on a more extensive basis within urban areas, given the particular problems that exist in urban areas both with the location of schools and with the transportation of children to schools?

I have no plans to end the school transport system. My intentions are quite the contrary. The school transport scheme is a very valuable part of our educational system. As I have said, I am determined to make sure that the service is efficient and effective and that it takes our children to school safely and properly.

The Minister said that he is examining the school transport system in terms of devolution. Could he expand on what he means by "devolution"?

Devolution runs throughout the Green Paper. The Deputy spoke very well on devolution last week. Devolution is the proposal to cede authority and responsibility from the Department of Education down to the boards of management. If and when we decide on other structures consideration will be given to the question of whether the bus service could be provided at that level also.

Deputy Gilmore mentioned problems experienced in urban areas. We have to try to address some of the problems that are emerging on the edges of the cities. I am aware of a few problems that have been encountered in relation to places where city and county merge. In those particular cases the Department try to be as sympathetic as possible to ensure the provision of a proper bus service. The scheme does not, however, provide for the city proper or built-up areas. Neither do I intend to extend the scheme to urban areas other than to address the problems experienced on the margins.

Question No. 14, please.

I have a brief question, a Cheann Comhairle.

A Cheann Comhairle——

The House is taking too much time on certain questions, clearly to the detriment of all of the other questions that we would like to dispose of. I shall allow Deputy Deenihan a brief question, and I shall call Deputy O'Shea as well.

In order to improve the quality of service, does the Minister have any plans to replace some of the transport fleet in view of the fact that 710 of our school buses are between 20 and 25 years old?

No, that is a matter for the contractors to the Department of Education — CIE and private companies. It is up to them to provide the Department with buses that are safe and that meet the required standards. I am determined that no child will travel in a bus that is substandard but it is a matter for the contractors, in seeking work from the Department of Education, to provide transport that meets the required standards. My instructions to my officials are not to allow in the scheme any buses that are not safe and properly authorised.

Is the Minister suggesting that the role of the chief executive officers of vocational education committees as transport liaison officers could be up for alteration? Is he suggesting that schools will be making separate arrangements? In other words, is there a suggestion that the general contract which exists with Bus Éireann is at risk?

I will await the consultant's report, but I believe we can do more in the bus area at local level than we are doing at present. I would envisage more involvement at local level in the bus service rather than this.

Question No. 14 please.

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