Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 October 2014
159. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education and Skills if school transport will be provided in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37313/14]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann, which operates the scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that the child in question is not attending her nearest national school and is therefore not eligible for school transport.
In general, children who are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme may apply for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions that are detailed in the scheme. However, in this case, Bus Éireann has advised that the existing service is operating to capacity.
The family should continue to liaise with their local Bus Éireann office in Dundalk (Tel. No. 042-9355065) regarding the future availability of school transport on a concessionary basis.
