John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. To begin, I wish to give the House an outline of the extent of the school transport service. School transport is a very significant operation. It is managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills. School buses make journeys totalling 82 million km annually. In the region of 114,000 children, including more than 8,000 with special needs, are transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools.

A number of changes to the school transport scheme arising from recommendations made in the value for money report on the scheme were introduced by the previous Government in budget 2011. The changes at primary level related to the introduction of charges and changes to the closed school rule and the minimum numbers required to establish or maintain a service. The changes which are relevant to the school in question relate principally to the closed school rule. The Senator will be aware that, in the context of school transport eligibility, this rule was introduced in the 1960s and relates to circumstances where a primary school is either closed or amalgamated with another school. Under the rule, as it previously applied, where a primary school closed and amalgamated with another, pupils who resided in the closed school area were eligible for transport to the school of amalgamation, even though their place of residence might be less than 3.2 km from that school. Where a greater number of schools amalgamated, the central school rule applied. In such instances, transport was provided for children who resided not less than 1 mile or 1.6 km from the new central school. No time limit had been applied in respect of either rule. Consequently, the closed school rule had been in effect for over 40 years. Even in circumstances where there was actually a newer school closer to the child's home, transport eligibility was to the amalgamated school only. In such circumstances, the child was not eligible for transport to the newer school.

The practical consequences of the changes to the closed school rule are: distance is now the key eligibility criterion which applies; from the 2012-13 school year, pupils residing in a closed school area, for whom the amalgamated school is not their nearest school but who enrol in their nearest school, will be eligible for school transport, provided the 3.2 km requirement is met; and in the case of all future primary school amalgamations, eligibility will be based on the distance criteria which apply when the amalgamation takes place and attendance at the nearest school.

In the context of the Department of Education and Skill's planning of primary school infrastructure, school accommodation needs in each area are assessed on the basis of local demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places. The changes announced to primary school transport services are in line with this approach and will result in a more efficient and cost-effective scheme. While there will be a transitional period in which children in the same family or area may be eligible for transport to different schools, ultimately eligibility for school transport will be easier to determine and the scheme will be simpler and more transparent for families and schools.

It is important to note that eligible children who are already attending an amalgamated school will retain their transport eligibility in order to allow them. providing there is no change in their circumstances, to complete their education at that school. In cases in which families are not eligible for school transport, they may apply for transport on a concessionary basis, subject to a number of conditions detailed in the scheme. I am pleased to advise that the cost of concessionary tickets was reduced to ¤100 per annum by the Government from the commencement of the 2012-13 school year. This is the same charge as that which applies in respect of eligible tickets.

Given that the terms of the scheme are being applied equitably on a national basis, there is no scope for reversing the changes to which I refer. Under the four year recovery plan, there is a requirement to deliver savings of ¤17 million in the school transport budget and all of the measures I have outlined, including the changes to the closed school rule, are an integral part of this. It makes economic sense that, when fully implemented, the provision of school transport to the nearest school will reduce the overall cost of school transport services.