Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 194: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will clarify the situation regarding the closed school rule and entitlement of siblings to school transport when other siblings are already in receipt of this service; if this will be available on a concessionary or other basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3507/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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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 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 CSR.

The second element of the 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. 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. Siblings of these pupils, who wish to attend the same school, may apply for concessionary transport subject to a number of terms and conditions. In this regard, 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.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of eligible pupils required for the establishment and/or retention of a school bus service in September 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3509/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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One of the changes in the school transport scheme which took effect from the beginning of the 2011 school year was an increase from seven to ten in the minimum number of eligible pupils, residing in a distinct locality, required to establish or retain an individual school transport service. This change now forms part of the School Transport schemes. As is currently the position, families of eligible pupils, for whom there is no school transport service available, may apply for a remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.