James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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116. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his pland to review the secondary school bus routes in view of new regulations regarding school boundaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20731/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Changes to the School Transport Scheme were announced in Budget 2011 and derive from recommendations in the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme. The main change to the Post Primary scheme means that from the 2012/13 school year, school transport eligibility for all pupils newly entering a post primary school is being determined by reference to the distance they reside from their nearest Post-Primary Education Centre having regard, as heretofore, to ethos and language. The planning and organising of school bus routes is an operational matter for Bus Éireann and existing services are reviewed over the summer months. Arising from this review, routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.