Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
1437. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to the post primary school transport scheme, if the eligibility rule requiring a pupil to live at least 4.8 kilometres from the nearest school is set aside if there is no bus route to that nearest school but there is a bus route to another appropriate school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34743/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, under my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. The terms are applied equitably on a national basis.
In certain areas, families who choose to send their children to schools other than their nearest diminish the chance of a service being established to their nearest school.
Children who are eligible for school transport but for whom no service is available may be eligible for the Remote Area Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements; details of this grant are available on the Department's website at www.education.ie.
