Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2016
111. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills to examine and review the proposed changes to remove concessionary bus tickets for school-going children by downsizing buses, given that up to one in five children could lose their tickets in a reduction to be phased in from the 2016 to 2017 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21430/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, children are eligible for school transport if they are attending their nearest school and reside the requisite distance from that school which at primary level is 3.2 kilometres and 4.8 kilometres at post primary level.
Transport on a concessionary basis is available to children who are not eligible for school transport, because they are not attending their nearest school or because they reside less than the requisite distance. Transport on a concessionary basis is subject to a number of conditions which are detailed in the School Transport Scheme such as the existence of spare seats on the bus after all eligible children have been catered for and payment of the school transport charge.
The Programme for Government commits to review the concessionary charges and rules element of the School Transport Scheme prior to Budget 2017.
Pending this review, there will be no planned programme of downsizing school buses in the coming school year. There will be route changes and variations in line with normal operational decisions that occur from year to year, and any impacts in terms of increases or decreases of available places will be marginal, in line with what occurs every year.
It is important to point out that this has no relevance or impact whatsoever for children who are eligible for school transport.
