Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Question 205: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the costs being charged to a person (details supplied) in County Limerick in respect of school transport will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21259/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Changes to my Department's School Transport Schemes were announced in the 2011 Budget and derive from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the Scheme.

One of the changes announced for the 2011/12 school year is an increase from €300 to €350 in the annual school transport charge for eligible post primary pupils. There is no increase in the family maximum charge of €650 per annum.

Charges may be paid in two instalments in July and December and pupils with valid Medical Cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying these charges.

It is essential to stress that the wider context within which 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.