Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2012
221. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reconsider reinstating the entitlement of some 20 children (details supplied) to qualify for transportation under the school transport scheme in the 2012/2013 school year; the monetary savings that would be made arising from changes to the school transport scheme in respect of these 20 pupils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32498/12]
View answerChanges to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme were announced in Budget 2011 and derived from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the Scheme. These changes are being applied equitably on a national basis. Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children from the area in question are not attending their nearest school and are therefore not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme. However, children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only in accordance with the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme. Bus Eireann has advised that 18 first year pupils from this area have been issued with tickets on this basis. There is no scope for reversing these changes as under the four year recovery plan, there is a requirement to deliver savings of €17 million on the school transport budget and all these measures, including the ceasing of the catchment boundary system, are an integral part of this. It makes economic sense that when fully implemented, the provision of school transport to the nearest school will reduce the cost of those school transport services.
