Carlow Kilkenny Fine Gael Senator John Paul Phelan has hit out at plans for a further hike in school transport charges, saying the rise shows “the Government is targeting families during Brian Cowen’s recession”.
Senator Phelan said that school transport charges were increased just four months ago at Easter, and the recent hike has resulted in a 70 per cent increase in just four months.
“It is crystal clear that families and the vulnerable are being targeted by the Fianna Fáil Government to offset financial problems that are endemic across the economy as a result of Brian Cowen’s recession,” he claimed.
“Just last Easter, school transport charges increased from €33 to €46 per term for students in the junior cycle and from €51 to €71 per term for students in the senior cycle. Today’s increase showed charges increasing further to €56 and €78 respectively. This represents massive increases of 53 per cent and 70 per cent.
“That school charges have been hiked up by these huge amounts highlights just how little regard there is for the financial strain such a massive increase will put on families.
“Obviously with increases in the cost of providing school transport — including fuel prices — and charges being held constant over a period of time, there may very well be a need to increase charges,” Sen Phelan said. “However 70 per cent increases seem excessive and I would like to know how Minster Batt O’Keeffe can justify such a massive hike in just four months considering that rising prices could not account for such huge increases over such a short period of time.”
