The review of the school transport scheme is being finalised within my Department. I am not yet in a position to say when deliberations on the report will be finally completed.
While I have no immediate plans to introduce charges for pupils attending primary schools or to increase the charges for pupils attending post-primary schools, the matter is being kept under review in the context of the escalating cost of school transport and any future demands on the service. Expenditure on school transport has more than doubled since 1997 and this year's allocation is €110.471 million.