Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if persons (details supplied) will qualify for school transport under the primary school transport scheme; if this service will be continued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14586/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Changes to school transport services were announced in the 2011 Budget by the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government and derive from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the scheme.

One of the changes, which takes effect from the beginning of the 2011/12 school year, is that the distance eligibility criterion will be applied uniformly to all pupils attending primary schools and the exemption under the 'Central/Closed School Rule' (CSR) will cease. This means that children who reside less than 3.2 kilometres from their school of attendance and who are currently availing of free transport to that school under the CSR will lose their transport eligibility.

Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport schemes on behalf of my Department, has advised that the children referred to reside less than 3.2 kilometres from the school in question and are therefore not eligible for school transport. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply to Bus Éireann for concessionary transport in accordance with the terms of the scheme.