Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 June 2016
122. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of school bus services to primary school children; if he has recently introduced changes that result in children who started school before the 2011-2012 school year who are not attending their closest school are now being offered concessionary bus tickets only whereas last year they got full tickets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16488/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraChanges to my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme were announced in December 2010 by the then Government as part of measures contained in Budget 2011 and derived from recommendations contained in the Value for Money review of the scheme.
The changes announced covered the uniform application of the distance eligibility criterion, the cessation of the Closed/Central School Rule, an increase from seven to ten in the minimum number of eligible children required to establish or retain a service and the introduction of charges for eligible primary children.
Children who had an eligibility for school transport to their school of attendance, prior to the introduction of these changes, retain this eligibility for the duration of their education at that school provided there is no change in their circumstances.
Siblings of these children, who are not attending their nearest school and therefore not eligible for school transport, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only in accordance with the terms of the School Transport Scheme.
The changes to school transport provision are applied uniformly and equitably on a national basis.
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind I will be happy to ask Bus Éireann to provide a full report.
