Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

The changes as currently proposed would allow for a situation to arise where there might be one or two siblings who are currently eligible for school transport but younger siblings about to enter the school system are not eligible. The system as envisaged by the last Government would have allowed that to happen. We are trying to work our way in order to ensure that does not occur. It will not be easy or straightforward and must be done in the context of continuing to achieve the saving of €17 million between now and 2014.

A number of anomalies may crop up. We are beginning to hear from schools and parents as to what they are. There is consultation and I have met with a number of parent groups from all over the country, both in my office and in their own locations. I am anxious to address the anomalies . They are few and far between but still exist and must be addressed.

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