Vol. 524 No. 5
512 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to invest funding to upgrade the public school bus fleet; and the funding which has been allocated to this fleet for each of the years 1997 to 1999 and to date in 2000. [23206/00]
513 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give details of the vehicles currently in the school bus fleet; the number of vehicles currently used in the private and public categories; and the bus sizes or carrying capacity and age of the vehicles. [23207/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 512 and 513 together.
Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport system on behalf of my Department, uses both its own vehicles and those of private contractors in providing the service. My Department does not provide capital funding for the purchase of buses.
The detailed information sought in relation to vehicles providing the service is not readily available in my Department. However, the details have been sought from Bus Éireann and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
