Written answers

Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Department of Education and Skills

School Transport Provision

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary has been refused a school bus ticket; if he will review this matter based on the fact that no bus travels from the area in which they live into the school within their catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40119/12]

Photo of Ciarán CannonCiarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Changes to the School Transport Scheme for Post Primary children were announced in the 2011 Budget and derived from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the scheme.

From the commencement of the 2012/13 school year, the use of the Catchment Boundary Area (CB) System ceased as a means of determining eligibility for school transport.

This means that from the 2012/13 school year, school transport eligibility for pupils is determined by reference to the distance they reside from their nearest post-primary education centre having regard to ethos and language.

Existing catchment boundary pupils who are not attending their nearest post primary centre 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 and other pupils who are not eligible for school transport, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only in accordance with the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme. Bus Éireann has reported that transport on a concessionary basis can be availed of by the pupil referred to by the Deputy on payment of the school transport charge.

The changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are being applied equitably on a national basis.

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