Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a submission regarding school transport (details supplied); his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17157/12]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a submission regarding school transport (details supplied); his plans to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17158/12]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a submission (details supplied) regarding school transport; his plans to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17159/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 108 and 109 together.

From the commencement of the 2012/13 school year, the use of the Catchment Boundary Area (CB) System as a means of determining eligibility will cease for all pupils newly entering post primary school. This means that from the 2012/13 school year, school transport eligibility for all pupils newly entering a post primary school will be determined by reference to the distance they reside from their nearest post-primary education centre having regard to ethos and language.

This change was announced as part of Budget 2011 but is not being introduced until the 2012/13 school year in order to allow parents of children newly entering post primary school ample time to consider their school choice options, taking account of the revised school transport eligibility arrangements.

At post primary level, the evidence is, as set out in the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Schemes, that the majority of children are attending their nearest post primary school/centre. The changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme will be applied equitably on a national basis.