Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 209: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated savings that will be achieved from the abolition of the closed rule agreement in respect of the school transport scheme; and his plans to reverse this decision which is due to be implemented at the beginning of the next school term. [18254/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Changes to school transport services, including the cessation of the Closed School Rule, 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.

Under the four year recovery plan, there is a requirement to deliver savings of €17 million on the school transport budget and these measures, including the ceasing of the closed school rule, are an integral part of this. 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. We all have to understand the legacy of economic mismanagement which the last Government gave to the country.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will meet with a representation of parents from a school (details supplied) in County Cork to discuss the proposed changes in the school transport scheme for their children, 70% of whom avail of the scheme. [18255/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this meeting has taken place.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 211: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he could lay before Dáil Éireann all documents pertaining to the closed school rule agreement together with the actual agreement. [18256/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Changes to school transport services relating to the Closed School Rule 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. I wish to inform the Deputy that school transport arrangements under the Closed School Rule originated from the last major amalgamation of schools in the late 1960's. Under the Closed School Rule, transport is generally provided to the school of amalgamation for pupils who reside in a closed school area. However, over the course of the last 42 years, many parts of Ireland have experienced changes in population, the number of schools in an area may have increased and private transport is more widely available. My Department must always seek to ensure that every service that is funded by the public is operated in a manner that delivers for pupils, parents and taxpayers alike.