James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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245. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in responding to representations in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford submitted in August, 2012, with regard to school transport for children attending various schools, in view of the fact that replies only came to hand in late April, 2013, when the school year is almost over; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22256/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I understand that in this case the family in question had been issued with a ticket at the end of August 2012 to avail of school transport on a concessionary basis for the current school year.

The Deputy will be aware that changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme were introduced at the commencement of the 2012/13 school year.

These changes generated an increase in the number of queries and representations to my Department. When combined with the routine administrative work undertaken within my Department in relation to school transport provision generally, regrettably, it was not feasible to deal with the increased volume of representations in a more timely manner.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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246. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in responding to representations submitted in August, 2012, regarding school transport in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Longford for children attending various schools, in view of the fact that replies only came to hand in late April, 2013, when the school year is almost over; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22257/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I understand that in this case the family in question had been issued with a ticket at the end of August 2012 to avail of school transport on a concessionary basis for the current school year.

The Deputy will be aware that changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme were introduced at the commencement of the 2012/13 school year.

These changes generated an increase in the number of queries and representations to my Department. When combined with the routine administrative work undertaken within my Department in relation to school transport provision generally, regrettably, it was not feasible to deal with the increased volume of representations in a more timely manner.