Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 3 May 2012, for the purpose of establishing automatic qualification for rural school transport, if he will identify the nearest qualifying secondary school for children who reside at an address (details provided); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26933/12]

Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 3 May 2012, for the purpose of establishing automatic qualification for rural school transport, if children are not entitled to automatic enrolment at their nearest secondary school due to that school offering priority to its preferred feeder schools in the area, are the children then entitled to automatic qualification for rural transport to another school. [26934/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 193 together.

Under the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Eligibility for post primary school transport is determined from where children reside and not from where they attend primary school. Bus Éireann is responsible for processing and assessing school transport application forms. In this regard the parents of the children referred to in the details supplied should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office regarding school transport eligibility under the terms of the scheme. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport to a particular school on a concessionary basis in accordance with the terms of the scheme. The changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme will be applied equitably on a national basis.