Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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176. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of concessionary bus tickets for school transport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19146/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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The Programme for Government commits to review the concessionary charges and rules element of the School Transport Scheme prior to Budget 2017.

This review, which is being commenced, will be aimed at identifying issues in relation to current rules and charges relating to concessionary places under the School Transport Scheme with a view to maximising the effectiveness of available services for children.

The results of the review will be considered in the context of Budget 2017.

Pending this review, there will be no planned programme of downsizing school buses in the coming school year. There will be route changes and variations in line with normal operational decisions that occur from year to year, and any impacts in terms of increases or decreases of available places will be marginal, in line with what occurs every year.