THE SCHOOL transport scheme, costing almost €200 million per year, is to be subject to a value-for-money review.
The review will also look at the catchment boundaries for the scheme which were established over 40 years ago. The study will spark fears that the scheme could be scaled back given the current economic crisis.
Spending on the scheme has grown from €49 million in 1997 to €196 million in 2009, an increase of 295 per cent.
But yesterday, Minister of State for Education and Science Seán Haughey said the review was in line with a commitment given in the programme for government.
The review will look at the original objectives of the scheme, whether these objectives remain valid, the extent to which the objectives are being achieved, and whether there are possibilities for economies or efficiencies that would improve the cost effectiveness of the scheme.
The review will also examine eligibility criteria and catchment boundaries, “with a view to achieving efficiencies and value for money in the scheme,” according to Mr Haughey.
The catchment boundaries were established in 1967.
Every county was divided into geographic districts, each with several schools.
Transportation to these schools was only guaranteed, with some exceptions, if a student attended a school in his or her boundary area.
Critics of the scheme say it is outdated and that urban sprawl and changes in settlement patterns in recent years mean the boundaries should be reviewed and redrawn.
The review will be carried out as part of the 2009-2011 round of value for money reviews recently approved by Government and, when completed, will be published and submitted to the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Science.
A steering committee, comprising personnel from the Department of Education and Science, other Government departments and the Department of Education, Northern Ireland, will oversee the review which will be completed by the end of 2009.
Chairman of the steering committee William Soffe is former county manager with Fingal County Council, and is chairman of Dublin Transportation Office and a member of the Commission on Taxation.
