John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There has been no change in the method used to calculate the distance that determines a child's eligibility for school transport. That is determined by Bus Éireann by measuring the shortest traversable route from the child’s home to the relevant school. I understand there are difficulties with mountain passes and so forth. There is no question, however, that it will have to be examined.

The budget allocated for school transport is €182 million per year. I am restricted in that I cannot increase that budget. If I were given an extra €10 million or €20 million, there would be no problem with eligible children or concessionary children using school transport. However, it is difficult.

I have some difficulty with the method using the shortest traversable route. We are speaking to Bus Éireann to deal with that issue. However, I am bound by the legislation introduced in the Dáil in 2011 and 2012. I must work within that to the best of my ability. I try to manage outside it and to bring common sense to bear. In 2017 and 2018 we may need to look at how the scheme operates and come back from what was agreed in 2011 and 2012. Circumstances, geography, bus routes and ability have changed. We should have a look at bus capacity to see whether it should be ten, seven or eight children.

I am curtailed by the amount of finance my Department has. We are right up to the edge with 116,000 children, 12,000 special needs children, 4,500 vehicles and the current budget.

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