Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 234: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the closed school rule in view of the serious additional financial pressure this will place on parents of children in small rural schools he is attempting to amalgamate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4037/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that from September 2011, the distance criterion of 3.2 kilometres was applied nationally to all pupils travelling under the primary school transport scheme, including those travelling under the Closed School Rule.

A further change is scheduled to take effect in September 2012 and will apply only in the case of pupils commencing their primary education from that date. This second element will restrict school transport eligibility for those pupils entering in September 2012, to pupils who meet the distance eligibility criterion and are travelling to their nearest school. It is worth noting that the annual charge for concessionary tickets will be reduced to €100 for the 2012 school year which is the same charge that applies for eligible tickets.

Existing eligible pupils, who are not attending their nearest school, will retain their school transport eligibility for the duration of their primary education cycle provided there are no changes to their current circumstances. There are no plans to review the changes to the Closed School Rule.

School amalgamation decisions are taken at a local level. The initiative for an amalgamation may come from a variety of sources, such as parents, staff, Board of Management and in particular, the Patron. The decision making authority for any amalgamation belongs to the Patron of a school, subject to the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills. When a community makes a decision to amalgamate, clearly travel distances will be an important factor and the judgement on this will be made locally in light of local circumstances.