Mary Butler
Ceist:325. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review a school transport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45925/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 7 November 2017
Ceisteanna (325)
Freagraí scríofa
School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, children are generally eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school.
The child referred to by the Deputy resides less than 3.2 kilometres from the school in question and is therefore not eligible for school transport.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only which is subject to a number of conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.
However, Bus Éireann has advised the current service is operating to capacity.
The terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.