In 2001, following a review of the school transport scheme and taking account of the recommendations of the joint Oireachtas committee's report on school transport, a number of improvements were put in place. These included reducing the qualifying distance for eligibility for school transport for primary school pupils aged ten and over from three to two miles, in order that all primary pupils are treated equally for eligibility purposes. The number of eligible primary pupils required to establish a new school bus service was reduced from ten to seven. All school transport vehicles were provided with a communication system to enable the driver to have ready access to the depot. The scope of the remote area grants, payable to pupils in certain circumstances, was extended and the rate of grant payable increased.