Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 May 2012
108 Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the students of a primary school (details supplied) are not entitled to automatic enrolment to the nearest secondary school; if the students are entitled to be provided rural school transport to the nearest secondary school to which the students are entitled to enrol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22474/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra109 Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Education and Skills for the purpose of establishing automatic qualification for rural school transport, if he will identify the nearest qualifying secondary school to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22475/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together.
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. Eligibility for post primary school transport is determined from where pupils reside and not from where they attend primary school.
