Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1096: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if either or all of the Garda Síochána, the Health and Safety Authority and Bus Éireann investigations into the County Meath school bus crash in May 2005 are completed; and if she will publish their results. [24568/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It is a matter for the independent board of inquiry commissioned by Bus Éireann to investigate the County Meath school bus crash to determine the timeframe for completion of its investigation. I am not aware that any decision has been taken regarding the publication of the investigation report.

Current progress on the other investigations referred to by the Deputy and the publication of their results are matters for the Garda and the Health and Safety Authority, respectively.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 1097: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if and when she intends to initiate a detailed review of school bus transport catchment boundaries in view of recent difficulties with the system; if she has engaged in discussions with the local education service providers and the transport liaison officers in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24577/05]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 1139: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to alter and change the catchment areas for post-primary school pupils in view of the recent changes in the school bus situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24892/05]

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 1205: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her Department will carry out a review of the catchment boundaries for school transport purposes in view of the difficulties that have arisen at the commencement of the school year 2005-2006; the number of applications she has received from educational interests in each county over the past two years; and if this resulted in any changes to catchment boundaries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25475/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1097, 1139 and 1205 together.

Catchment boundaries have their origins in the establishment of free post-primary education in the late 1960s. For planning purposes, the country was divided into geographic districts, each with several primary schools feeding into a post-primary centre with one or more post-primary schools. The intention was that these defined districts would facilitate the orderly planning of school provision and accommodation needs. They also facilitated the provision of a national school transport service, enabling children from remote areas to get to their nearest school.

While the service has been developed over the years to take account of such factors as linguistic and denominational considerations in the matter of school choice, it was never the intention that such choice would be unlimited. Clearly, the cost of operating such a scheme would be unsustainable, especially in the context of competing demands, including the major safety programme my Department is implementing at present.

A review of catchment boundaries may be appropriate where, for example, a new post-primary school is established in an area where previously there was none or, conversely, where a "sole provider" school closes due to declining enrolment. Furthermore, while it is reasonable for parents to exercise educational choice, expectation as to the extent to which that choice can be facilitated must be tempered with realism. To revise boundaries in order to provide school transport for pupils to their school of choice would not be appropriate.