Written answers
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Department of Education and Skills
School Transport
9:00 pm
Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions in place for children who attend gaelscoileanna outside the standard eligibility distance for school bus service; the provisions in place for a group of children from one particular area who attend gaelscoileanna beyond the standard eligibility distance when there is less than the minimum eligible number for a bus service to be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10957/11]
Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The changes to school transport services were announced in the 2011 Budget by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and derive from a recommendation in the recently published Value for Money Review of the scheme.
The Deputy will be aware that, included in these changes, was an increase from 7 to 10 of the number of eligible pupils, residing in a distinct locality, required to establish or retain a school transport service. A Remote Area Transport grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements, is payable to families of eligible pupils, for whom no service is available.
Given the major financial constraints facing the country, I cannot reverse the changes to school transport as announced by the previous government. We all have to understand the legacy of economic mismanagement which the last Government gave to the country.
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