Vol. 428 No. 1
480 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Education the cost to her Department of the school transport service for 1992; if she will give a breakdown of these figures between county areas; the proportion of the figures for each county which is made up of contributions made by parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Costs incurred by Bus Éireann in respect of the school transport scheme are funded by my Department on an ongoing basis. These costs relate to expenses incurred in the overall management and day-to-day operation of the scheme on a nationwide basis.
In 1992 the gross cost of running the scheme was £38.472 million. This was offset by £4.140 million, approximately, received from charges, making a nett cost of £34.332 million. These figures are subject to confirmation.
Bus Éireann operates the scheme through its eleven regional centres and county boundaries are not relevant to its operation. The breakdown sought by the Deputy is not, therefore, readily available.
