Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 109: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the way the removal of the closed school rule, which guarantees free transport to students, will impact on this commitment as a result of the new €50 charge per student; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47938/10]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if she will confirm that the minimum 3.2 km distance requirement from primary schools for the purposes of school transport will be changed; if she will give a detailed explanation of these changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47939/10]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the way savings will be made under the closure of the closed school rule and the removal of the catchment boundary rule; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47940/10]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the way students who fall within the new distance ruling for primary school transport will be facilitated from a school transport point of view; if she will address an example case (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47941/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 to 112, inclusive, together.

The report of the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme, which will outline the recommendations of the Steering Committee, has recently been finalised and the findings and recommendations in the report were considered as part of the budget and estimates process. The report is to be considered by Government in advance of publication in the near future.

The 2011 estimate for school transport services is €180 million compared to an allocation for 2010 of €186 million. Under the four year national recovery plan €4.5 million in savings will need to be secured in 2011, rising to €17 million in 2014, through a combination of increases in charges and the implementation of measures identified in the value for money review of the school transport scheme. The primary charge is being introduced to ensure that school transport provided for eligible primary pupils is fully utilised. This charge will apply to all eligible primary pupils including pupils who retain school transport eligibility under the Closed School Rule.

Given that the cost per child of this service is approximately €1,020 per year, it is essential to ensure that the seats provided on buses daily are utilised to the maximum extent. Survey work undertaken over two surveys on selected primary routes in the context of the Value for Money Review showed that the average seat occupancy is 69% on the morning service and 64% on the evening service.

It should be borne in mind that eligible pupils holding medical cards will be exempted from paying the charge. The latest data shows that 42% of all post primary pupils travelling are currently exempt from paying the charge, and using this percentage as a guide in respect of eligible primary pupils, it is estimated that based on current take up a total of 64,000 eligible pupils will be liable to pay charges in the 2011/2012 school year. Approximately 8,000 pupils with special educational needs will also continue to be transported free of charge. Also, I would point out to the Deputy that the maximum family charge to be levied at primary level for eligible pupils will be €110 while the overall combined maximum charge per family is not being increased from the current rate of €650 per annum. Parents will continue to be given the option of spreading the annual payments over two instalments in July and December.

In relation to the Deputy's query on the 'Closed School Rule (CSR)' I would advise that from the beginning of the 2011/12 school year the distance criteria will be applied to all pupils attending primary schools and the exemption under the CSR will cease. This means that children who reside less than 3.2 kilometres (2 miles) from the school of attendance and who are availing of free transport to that school under the CSR will lose their transport eligibility. From the 2012/13 school year, eligibility based on the CSR and the central school rule will cease for all new children entering primary schools. Existing primary pupils availing of transport under the CSR will retain transport eligibility for the duration of their schooling, provided the requisite distance is met.

Regarding the transport eligibility of the pupil referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied, provided this pupil resides 3.2 kilometres or more from the school of attendance, s/he will continue to retain school transport eligibility until s/he completes her/his education at this school. Finally, from the 2012/13 school year, the use of the catchment boundary system will cease for all new post-primary children. Eligibility for all new children entering post-primary transport will be determined on the basis of their nearest post-primary centre or school. Current arrangements will remain in place for existing eligible post primary pupils for the duration of their schooling. There are no plans to change the distance eligibility criteria for primary or post primary pupils at this stage.