Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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769. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the impact of the changes to the primary school transport scheme on Newcestown Central School (details supplied) in County Cork is fair; if she will intervene to resolve the difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46799/15]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Changes to my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme were announced in December 2010 by the then Government as part of measures contained in Budget 2011 and derived from recommendations contained in the Value for Money review of the scheme.

The changes announced covered the uniform application of the distance eligibility criterion, the cessation of the Closed/Central School Rule (CSR), an increase from seven to ten in the minimum number of eligible children required to establish or retain a service and the introduction of charges for eligible primary children.

Children who hold valid medical cards (GMS scheme) are exempt from paying a charge. The charge currently applied for primary school transport for both eligible and concessionary tickets is €100 per child per annum, or a family maximum of €220.

These changes to school transport provision are applied uniformly and equitably on a national basis.