Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the proposed changes to the primary school transport scheme will have implications for a particular service (details supplied). [17588/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The changes to school transport services were announced in the 2011 Budget by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and derive from a recommendation in the Value for Money Review of the scheme.

These changes include the requirement that a minimum of 10 eligible pupils, residing in a distinct locality, will be required to retain or establish a school transport service from 2011/12 school year.

Bus Éireann who operate the Primary School Transport Scheme on behalf of the Department has advised that to date less than the ten required eligible pupils are offering for transport for the 2011/12 school year from the area outlined by the Deputy. As this service will fall under the minimum number of 10 eligible pupils, this service will be withdrawn for the 2011/12 school year.

As is currently the position, families of eligible pupils, for whom there is no school transport service available, may apply for the remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.