Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 298: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students likely to be adversely impacted arising from changes to the school transport regime as it relates to closed/central schools from September 2012; if he will outline these changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18085/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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From the commencement of the 2012/13 school year, the Closed School Rule will cease and school transport eligibility will be confined to those children who reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, having regard to ethos and language. Existing eligible children, who are not attending their nearest school, will retain their school transport eligibility for the duration of their primary education cycle provided there is no change to their current circumstances. Sample surveys undertaken by Bus Éireann show that the majority of children are in fact attending their nearest school, so this change will not have any practical impact on the majority of children. This change means that greater consistency will be introduced in relation to planning for school places which is already based on local demographic trends, current and projected enrolments, recent and planned housing developments and the capacity of existing schools to meet demand for places.