Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 223: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will set out the terms of reference for the review that was agreed regarding schools affected by the proposed changes in the school transport scheme, including the terms of reference for the review of changes to school catchment boundaries; if he will provide a list in linear format of schools that are specifically affected by the changes to the closed school rule that were set out in the budget introduced by the previous Government in November 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15401/11]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 226: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to the meeting of Deputies, Department of Education officials and the Minister of State on Thursday 7 April 2011 at Leinster House, the savings envisaged through the introduction of the new catchment boundaries for school transport services; the action that he will take to address the challenges that such changes may impose on rural schools and rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15432/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 and 226 together.

These changes derive from decisions of the previous Fianna Fáil-Green Party Government to implement recommendations in the School Transport Value for Money review relating to the primary school transport system and the need to obtain savings under the four year national recovery plan.

The decisions announced cover the uniform application of the distance requirement, cessation of the Closed/Central School Rule (CSR), the minimum number of eligible children required to establish and retain services and the introduction of charges for eligible primary pupils.

In the case of the cessation of the Closed/Central School Rule (CSR) there are broadly two aspects to this change. The first of these, which will be implemented from September 2011, involves the application of the distance eligibility criterion to all children travelling under the primary school transport scheme, including those travelling under the CSR. This change to school transport provision means that the distance eligibility criterion will be applied uniformly and equitably on a national basis. The practical impact is that children categorised for transport under the CSR who reside less than 3.2 kilometres from their school of attendance and who are availing of free transport to that school will lose their transport eligibility. In such cases, these children may apply for concessionary transport at an annual charge, currently of €200 per pupil, subject to a family maximum of €650 per annum. The second element of the change is scheduled to take effect in September 2012 and will apply only in the case of children commencing their primary education from that date. This second element will restrict school transport eligibility for those children entering in September 2012, to children who meet the distance eligibility criterion and who are travelling to their nearest school. A sample survey undertaken as part of the Value for Money Review, on transport arrangements for pupils availing of transport under the CSR, showed that the majority of pupils are in fact attending their nearest open school, so this change will not have any practical impact on these pupils.

In relation to this second change scheduled to be implemented in September 2012, Bus Éireann is currently conducting a detailed analysis of the "on the ground" impact of this for individual schools and the rural communities they serve. This analysis will be based on the most up to date information available on current school transport usage patterns and I expect to have this information available to me this summer. I will then have an opportunity to carefully examine the likely effects of this proposed change well in advance of the 2012 implementation date.

A further change which will take effect in September 2011 is the increase from 7 to 10 in the number of eligible pupils, residing in a distinct locality, required to retain or establish a school transport service. In general, this means that the minimum number required to establish or retain a service broadly represents a return to 2002 levels. As is currently the position, a Remote Area Grant is payable for eligible children for whom no transport service is available.

An annual charge for eligible primary pupils will be introduced from the commencement of the 2011/12 school year. This charge is set at €50 per pupil with a maximum family charge of €110 for primary pupils. The charge of €50 represents some 5% recoupment of the actual cost. Pupils with valid medical cards will be exempt from this charge. This charge is being introduced to ensure that school transport services are fully utilised in an efficient and cost effective manner.

It is essential to stress that the wider context within which all these changes are taking place, is a situation of the most serious financial difficulties. Under the four year recovery plan, there is a requirement to deliver savings of €17 million on the school transport budget and these measures are an integral part of this.