James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reverse the decision of the previous Government regarding primary school transport and the eligibility criteria for same in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15668/11]

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 Value for Money Review of the scheme. Decisions in relation to the retention or establishment of school transport services will be made when all applications for school transport, for the 2011/12 school year, have been received and assessed. Given the major financial constraints facing the country, I regret that I cannot reverse the changes to school transport as announced by the previous government in Budget 2011. We all have to understand the legacy of economic mismanagement which the last Government gave to the country.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he will take to reverse the cutbacks imposed on the school transport scheme for children attending a school (details supplied) in County Louth; the provisions that have been made to ease the burden on low income families or those with multiple children as a result of these cutbacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15674/11]

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 Value for Money Review of the scheme. From the beginning of the 2011/12 school year a €50 charge, which applies to eligible primary pupils, is being introduced to ensure that school transport services are fully utilised in a cost efficient manner. Eligible pupils holding medical cards and pupils with special educational needs will be exempt from paying the charge. In addition, the maximum family charge at primary level for eligible pupils will be €110 per annum. Parents will have the option of spreading the annual payments over two instalments in July and December. Given the major financial constraints facing the country, I regret that I cannot reverse the changes to school transport as announced by the previous government in Budget 2011. We all have to understand the legacy of economic mismanagement which the last Government gave to the country.