Vol. 509 No. 4
340 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the projected cost of the school transport scheme for the next school year; if the school bus operators have received any increase in the past number of years; if so, if he will give details in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20329/99]
The projected gross cost of the school transport scheme for the year 2000 is £51.44 million. Taking account of expected receipts of £5.1 million the funding requirement will be for £46.34 million.
The last increase in the rates of payment to contractors took place in 1994. This amounted to an increase of 3.5 per cent. There are no additional resources available at present to make improvements in this area.
