Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I will quickly conclude. I want to address some of the points Deputy Martin Ferris raised.

Regarding the minimum numbers required to establish a service - this is particularly pertinent to the points the Deputy was making - the changes mean that services under the minimum numbers - either single services or which are part of double-tripping arrangements - will be discontinued. A pick-up density of pupils in a distinct locality on a particular route - increasing from the current minimum of seven to ten eligible children - will be required to establish or retain services. This brings the minimum numbers required to establish services back to 2002 levels.

Bus Éireann is undertaking a detailed examination of all such services to establish the routes in question and parents or guardians of pupils affected will be notified of changes in due course.

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