Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am familiar with the case and have answered parliamentary questions on this before. The Deputy keeps saying it is unfair. The scheme, the system and the policy have to be fair and equitable throughout the country. The same rules are applied across the board. Bus Éireann operates on behalf of the Department and has measured this route and has picked the shortest route. That is the criteria and the job Bus Éireann does and it is implemented across the country. The local inspectors will make recommendations as well, and that is key.

The Deputy says this is unfair. It is going to be complicated in the first seven or eight years when one changes from one system, based on catchment boundaries, to a new system. The new system is probably more logical but it is complicated because there are families which already started under the old criteria. There is no doubt it is complicated for families. We know that. However, a decision was made to make this the most efficient way to provide a service on behalf of the taxpayers and people of this country and to ensure those who needed bus transport to their nearest school would get it. It has been implemented across the board. Some 63,000 people availed of that in the last year alone, and the system is fair. It might be difficult and more complicated for families to which two sets of rules apply. I have acknowledged it is difficult. At all times, Bus Éireann has tried to judge this fairly and pick the nearest route but also to find concessionary placing for families and siblings if and when it can.

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