Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 October 2004
119 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount spent on second level school transport for the most recent year for which statistics are available and for each of the five years prior to the most recent year for which statistics are available; the corresponding numbers carried at second level on school transport for each of these years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24876/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra120 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount spent on primary school transport for the most recent year for which statistics are available and for each of the five years prior to the most recent year for which statistics are available; the corresponding numbers carried at primary level on school transport for each of these years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24877/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 120 together.
The expenditure provided are global figures for both primary and post-primary school transport including grants paid under the various grant schemes. The cost of school transport for each of the past six years is as follows: 1998 —€51.2 million; 1999 —€57.9 million; 2000 —€65.0 million; 2001 —€77.0 million; 2002 —€95.9 million; 2003 —€101.7 million.
The overall number of pupils carried on services operated by Bus Éireann during the same period is estimated as follows: 1998 — 154,000; 1999 — 145,000; 2000 — 139,000; 2001 — 140,000; 2002 — 136,000; 2003 — 138,000. The Deputy will appreciate that the numbers carried may vary from month to month. The number of post-primary and primary pupils carried is estimated at 60% and 40% respectively of the overall total.
