Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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299. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a bus route (details supplied) in County Kerry. [31536/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, is not attending his nearest national school and is therefore not eligible for school transport.

Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions, including the following:

- routes will not be extended or altered;

- additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis;

- no additional State cost will be incurred.

The family in question should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office regarding the availability of transport on a concessionary basis for the 2013/14 school year.