Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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190. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide copies of written commitments made by her Department to schools (details supplied), which amalgamated in previous decades, that their bus service would be safeguarded in the future, which was broken under the last Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7642/15]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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School transport arrangements under the Central/Closed School Rule originated from the last major amalgamation of schools in the late 1960's. Given the time lapse it is not feasible to provide copies of agreements, where they exist, reached between the Department and the School Authorities at the time of amalgamation.

In any event, changes to my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme which were finalised for the beginning of the 2012 school year mean that children are now eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

The terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis and I am satisfied with the current policy and criteria for determining eligibility.

My Department must always seek to ensure that every service that is funded by the public is operated in a manner that delivers for children, parents and taxpayers alike.