Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the practical difficulties being experienced by parents of pupils in Dunmore East and Portlaw in County Waterford as a consequence of the implementation of the post-primary school transport system; his views on the lack of flexibility in the scheme; and the steps, he will take to assist the families affected. [30987/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are being implemented from September 2012.

The main change to the current scheme 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, as heretofore, to ethos and language.

In general, children who are currently eligible for, and who are availing of school transport, will retain their transport eligibility for the duration of their post primary education cycle unless there is a change in their current circumstances.

However, for some families, the changes will mean that children, who have yet to commence their post primary education, may be eligible for transport to a school other than the school that their older siblings are attending. While these children may be eligible for school transport to a nearer school, they also have the option of applying for transport on a concessionary basis to the school attended by their older siblings in accordance with the terms of the scheme.

The terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme will be applied equitably on a national basis.