John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 688: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he plans to increase the charge to parents of transporting primary and post-primary children to school; the amount of any such increase; when such an increase will come into effect; the proportion of such increase which will be passed on to the private contractors who operate the routes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28739/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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There has been a significant increase in expenditure on school transport, from €49.5 million in 1997 to €172 million in 2007. The allocation for school transport in 2008 is €175 million. This upward pressure on costs will undoubtedly continue due to the anticipated rise in overall transport costs in the years ahead. This issue has been under consideration as part of the arrangements with Bus Éireann for the operation of the school transport scheme for the 2008/09 academic year. I will be making an announcement shortly.

John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 689: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he 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 for the past number of years; the number of applications he has received from educational interests in each county over the past two years; if this resulted in changes to catchment boundaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28740/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is currently finalising proposals for progressing the commitment given in the Programme for Government to review the school transport system including catchment boundaries.

In the meantime, the terms of the post-primary school transport scheme will continue to apply. A pupil is eligible for transport if s/he resides 4.8 kilometres or more from her/his local post primary education centre, that is, the centre serving the catchment area in which s/he lives.

Pupils who are eligible for transport to the education centre in the catchment area in which they reside may avail of 'catchment boundary' transport to an education centre in another catchment area provided spare seats are available on the school bus.

Information is not readily available on the number of applications received from educational interests in each county over the past two years. However, reviews of specific catchment boundaries may be carried out where appropriate. A number of reviews have been carried out over the years 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.