Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
1438. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Cavan will be able to avail of free transport to a second level school which the person has been attending since the commencement of the 2013-14 school year, in view of the fact that the nearest school to the person's home was full and could not offer a place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34746/14]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that the child in question is not attending his nearest education centre and is therefore not eligible for school transport.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply to Bus Éireann for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of a conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and the payment of the annual charge. Bus Éireann has confirmed that there is a seat available on the existing service and the family should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office if they wish to avail of transport on a concessionary basis.
The family in question has not provided information to my Department on their application for enrolment in their nearest school. In cases where my Department is satisfied that the nearest school is full at the time of first enrolment, consideration may be given to granting eligibility for school transport to the next nearest school.
