asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement on the way in which the school transport service will operate in the coming year; and if she will indicate the changes which will take place in relation to (1) charges, (2) the way in which services are provided or (3) entitlement to the service.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - School Transport Service.
59.
The school transport service will operate as heretofore from January 1989. The question of increases, if any, in charges is at present under consideration and I hope to be in a position to make a decision in the immediate future.
Services will continue to be provided under existing arrangements for the current school year. The operation of the scheme is, however, under continuing review. I have no plans to change existing entitlements to service.
Can the Minister of State tell us if he was at all embarrassed in delivering that answer standing beside the Minister given the fact that as an Opposition spokesperson she crusaded against the whole idea of——
A question, please, Deputy Birmingham.
I only asked if he felt embarrassed and that is a perfectly clear question.
It was the Deputy's party who brought in the charges.
Can the Minister of State tell me whether he recalls there was a reduction in last year's Estimate in the allocation for school transport of £6.5 million, that that allocation was restored in the budget at £5.7 million and that it has been taken away in the Estimates for next year? Would he agree that that seems to indicate a lack of clarity in how to address the question of school transport, to put it at its mildest?
The Department are going to achieve substantial economies in the operation of the service in 1989 and to this end all aspects of the service are under continuing review. It is fair to say that the standard of service provided remains very high despite the fact that we have found it necessary to make substantial cutbacks in the amount of money allocated and this is due in no uncertain way to those involved in the provision of the service, particularly CIE.
Let us now deal with the remaining question, Question No. 60 in the name of Deputy Michael D. Higgins.
May I ask one question?
I am sorry, Deputy, no.