Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 October 2014
160. 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. [37314/14]
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 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In relation to school transport provision, ethos relates to religious ethos and is in the context of provision for minority religions.
Bus Éireann, which operates the scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that the child in question is not attending her nearest post primary centre 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.
In this regard, the family should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office in Dundalk (Tel. No. 042-9355065) regarding the availability of school transport on a concessionary basis.
