Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 588: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the restrictions that apply in relation to when school transport will be provided for pupils to a school; if there are exceptions to this rule in respect of particular categories of individual, or particular categories of schools; and the exceptions made. [40891/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The school transport scheme, which is operated by Bus Éireann on my Department's behalf, is primarily a rural based scheme, in which children who are eligible for transport, under the terms of the scheme, are provided with a transport service subject to sufficient numbers offering for transport from distinct localities.

Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, pupils who reside 3.2 kilometres or more from, and are attending, their nearest suitable national school as determined by my Department, are eligible for free school transport.

At post primary level, a pupil is eligible for transport if s/he resides 4.8 kilometres or more from her/his local post primary education centre, that is, the centre serving the catchment area in which s/he lives.

In the case of transport for children with special needs, pupils are eligible if they are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit that is or can be resourced to meet the child's special educational needs under my Department's criteria.

If the Deputy requires clarification on any particular aspect of the schemes, my Department will be glad to provide the information.