Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 May 2010
263 Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, further to Parliamentary Question No. 417 of 27 April 2010, the reason the school bus transport service costs so much annually; the reason the cost has almost doubled in five years; where this cost is borne; the average contribution made by passengers annually on these buses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22190/10]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the school transport service is a complex national operation supporting in the region of 125,000 pupils daily. The cost of the school transport service has in fact increased by about 45% in the past five years from €122.2m (which included over €3m towards purchase of buses) in 2005 to €177.4m in 2009. This increase is due to a number of factors namely:
The introduction of new safety requirements, resulting in the phasing out of the 3 for 2 seating arrangements on both primary and post-primary services, providing all children with an adult seat each. This necessitated the requirement for the addition of a considerable number of vehicles to address capacity shortfalls.
The increased demands to meet the transport needs of children with special needs;
The growing diversity of school types with the subsequent take-up of choice particularly at primary level;
Ongoing costs associated with the relaxation of some of the criteria such as a reduction in the numbers of eligible pupils required to establish a service and a reduction in travel and waiting times in 2001.
The current post primary school transport charge is €300 per child per annum with a maximum family charge of €650. Children availing of concessionary transport also pay an annual charge. Eligible post primary children in families who hold means tested medical cards are exempted from the charges and in addition, transport for all eligible primary children and children with special educational needs remains free of charge. The total contribution of parents from these charges represents about only 7% of the overall expenditure on school transport with the remainder being borne by the State. The Deputy may also be aware, that School Transport was approved by Government as a topic for inclusion as part of the 2009-2011 round of Value for Money Reviews. This Report is currently being finalised.
