School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 March 2012

Thursday, 22 March 2012

Questions (83)

Martin Heydon

Question:

86 Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review proposed changes to the school bus route arrangements relating to a school (details supplied) in County Kildare which takes many pupils from a nearby town in County Kildare that has one of the largest primary feeder school for the school and that will now fall outside the school transport system for this school, thereby splitting many families who already have pupils attending the secondary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16026/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Ciarán Cannon)

From the commencement of the 2012/13 school year, the use of the Catchment Boundary Area (CB) System as a means of determining eligibility will cease for all pupils newly entering post primary school. This means that from the 2012/13 school year, school transport eligibility for all pupils newly entering a post primary school will be determined by reference to the distance they reside from their nearest post-primary education centre having regard to ethos and language.

This change was announced as part of Budget 2011 but is not being introduced until the 2012/13 school year in order to allow parents of children newly entering post primary school ample time to consider their school choice options, taking account of the revised school transport eligibility arrangements.

At post primary level, the evidence is, as set out in the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Schemes, that the majority of children are attending their nearest post primary school/centre.

The changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme will be applied equitably on a national basis.