Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school transport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21832/11]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding children travelling on school buses to a rural school because of the Closed School Rule; if they will still be eligible to travel on the school bus to complete their education; if they have siblings will they be eligible to travel on the school bus to be with their siblings in school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21833/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 134 and 135 together.

Changes to the School Transport Schemes, including the 'Closed School Rule (CSR)', were announced in Budget 2011 and derive from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the Scheme.

The change referred to by the Deputy in relation to ceasing the CSR is not scheduled to be introduced until the beginning of the 2012/13 school year. Pupils commencing their primary education from this date will have their eligibility determined by the distance they reside from their nearest national school, as determined by my Department, having regard to language and ethos. A sample survey undertaken as part of the Value for Money Review 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.

My Department has requested Bus Éireann to conduct a detailed analysis of the "on the ground" impact 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 on the final data in relation to school transport requirements in September 2011. Given this fact, I do not expect to have the final details for some weeks yet.

These changes are not due to be implemented until September 2012 and as detailed consideration and assessment will be required it will be some time before this work is completed.

Eligible pupils who are currently availing of school transport services under the CSR will retain their eligibility for the duration of their primary school education cycle.