Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22074/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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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. Existing catchment boundary pupils who are not attending their nearest post primary centre will retain their transport eligibility for the duration of their post primary education cycle provided there is no change to their current circumstances. Siblings of these pupils may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only in accordance with the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme. The changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme will be applied equitably on a national basis.