The annual charges for school transport services are being increased from the first term of the 2009/10 school year as follows:
Eligible post-primary pupils (junior) from €168 to €300 (78% increase) Eligible post-primary pupils (senior) from €234 to €300 (28% increase) Concessionary post-primary pupils from €234 to €300 (28% increase) Concessionary primary pupils from €120 to €200 (66% increase) Maximum family charge from €495 to €650 (31% increase).
The cost of school transport in 2009 is now estimated to be €192m. However, this still represents a significant increase of over €82m (over 75%) since 2004, up from €109.8m. Costs in school transport have been increasing arising from a range of issues. These include the phasing out of the 3 for 2 seating arrangement on both primary and post-primary services and the addition of a considerable number of vehicles to address capacity shortfalls arising from the decision to provide each child with an individual seat and the equipping of all dedicated school buses with safety belts. Increases in rates for private contractors in the 2000-2007 period and increased demands to meet the needs of special needs children and parental choice of school have also impacted on school transport costs.
I wish to point out that, despite the escalating costs of the service, charges for school transport had not been increased from 1998 until the third school term in the 2007/08 school year. A further increase was put in place at the start of the 2008/09 school year. The total contribution of charges from parents in 2009 will still only represent about 8.6% of the overall expenditure for school transport.
In the overall context and in order to minimise the overall effects, these charge increases have been confined to the 55,000 eligible post-primary and children availing of concessionary transport. Charges continue to be waived in the case of eligible post-primary children where the family is in possession of a valid medical card (or over 22,500). Eligible children attending primary schools and children with special needs (or about 54,500 children) will still travel free. A maximum family rate of €650 will also be applied.
Parents are also being given the option of spreading the amount due over two payments payable in July and December 2009. Those who pay the full annual charge, in advance, will benefit from a ticket being issued for the school year and this includes pupils on concessionary travel.
My Department has also commenced a Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme which is to be completed before the end of the year.