Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 July 2012
139 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review school transport catchment boundaries at a location (details supplied) in County Kerry due to exceptional circumstances in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34525/12]
View answerChanges to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme were announced in Budget 2011 and derive from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme. The main change to the current scheme 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, as heretofore, to ethos and language.
In general, existing eligible and catchment boundary children including those who are not attending their nearest post primary centre will retain their transport eligibility for the duration of their post primary education cycle provided there is no change to their current circumstances. Siblings of these children and other children who are not attending their nearest school may apply for school transport on a concessionary basis only in accordance with the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme. The changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme will be applied equitably on a national basis.
