Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
381 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the estimated cost of the school transport service in each of the past five years; the estimated number of passengers carried in each of the past five years; the estimated number of total passenger miles in each of the past five years; and his views on the trends. [11553/04]
View answerThe cost of school transport for each of the past five years is as follows: 1999, €57.9 million; 2000, €65.0 million; 2001, €77.0 million; 2002, €95.9 million; and 2003, €101.7 million.
The number of pupils carried on services operated by Bus Éireann during the same period is estimated as follows: 1999, 145,000; 2000, 139,000, 2001, 140,000; 2002, 136,000; and 2003, 138,000.
The Deputy will appreciate that the number of pupils carried may vary from month to month. In addition, the figures outlined do not include pupils whose parents-guardian are in receipt of grants to arrange private transport for their children as statistics are not currently available in this regard.
The information requested by the Deputy on the estimated number of passenger miles is being collated by my Department, and will be forwarded to him as soon as possible.
