Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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79. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a review of the implementation of the value for money for school transport recommendations has ever been carried out; if his Department intends to modify these in any way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3713/17]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

Currently in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.

No comprehensive review of the implementation of the recommendations arising from the value for money review of the school transport scheme has been undertaken.

The Deputy will be aware that in December 2016 I published a review of the concessionary charges and rules element of the School Transport Scheme and I have decided upon consideration of the review to continue with the current position regarding school transport on a concessionary basis. 

In addition the Programme for Government commits to a review of the criteria and guidelines for the School Transport Appeals Board.