Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if the report on school transport will recommend the abolition of the school catchment areas as at present structured; if she will abolish the concessionary requirements or if she will re-draw the catchment boundaries to take into account the population changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41454/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the School Transport scheme was approved by Government as a topic for inclusion as part of the 2009-2011 round of Value for Money Reviews. This review looked at the original objectives of the scheme, whether these objectives remain valid today, the extent to which the objectives are being achieved, and whether there are possibilities for economies or efficiencies that would improve the value for money of the scheme. In this context, the review also looked at fundamental issues such as eligibility criteria and catchment boundaries, with a view to achieving efficiencies and value for money in the Scheme. While the report of the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme, which will outline the recommendations of the Steering Committee on catchment boundaries, has recently been finalised, it is to be considered by Government in advance of publication.