School Transport.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2004

Tuesday, 18 May 2004

Questions (31)

John Deasy

Question:

43 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science the numbers using school transport for each year since 1997; the amount spent on the school transport system since 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14271/04]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The number of pupils availing of school transport services in a school year varies from time to time. Accordingly, the figures set out below are averages of pupils availing of the service within the years mentioned.

The figures are as follows:

1997 — 160,000;

1998 — 154,000;

1999 — 145,000;

2000 — 139,000;

2001 — 140,000;

2002 — 136,000; and

2003 — 138,000.

Expenditure in the same years was as follows:

1997 — €49.572 million;

1998 — €51.201 million;

1999 — €57.978 million;

2000 — €65.082 million;

2001 — €77.058 million;

2002 — €95.986 million; and

2003 — €101.734 million.