I propose to take Questions Nos. 530 and 531 together.
In general, under 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.
Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, is responsible for determining eligibility for school transport and for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes.
Bus Éireann has advised that the children in question are eligible for school transport.
Bus Éireann also advised that although tickets were issued to these children, there is currently no school transport service available to them.
Children who are eligible for school transport but for whom no service is available may, following an application process for transport within the prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements.
The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2014/15 school year was Friday 25th April 2014.
The family referred to by the Deputy did not apply for transport until March 2015; as a result they will be considered for transport or the Remote Area Grant for the 2015-16 school year.