Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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330. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review a decision of the school transport appeals board with respect to a family (details supplied) in County Laois; if he will overturn this decision in view of the information provided; if he will not overturn the decision, if he will provide an assurance that a concessionary seat will be available for the duration of the child's time in school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37860/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The School Transport Appeals Board is independent of my Department. The Deputy will be aware that the role of the Board is, broadly, to examine appeals against decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education and Skills regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes.

A party who is dissatisfied with a determination of the Board has the right to make a complaint to the Ombudsman for Children.

Under the terms of my Department's 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 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 in question is not attending his nearest education centre and is therefore not eligible for school transport.

Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply to Bus Éireann for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of a conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and the payment of the annual charge. Bus Éireann has advised that the family in question have received a concessionary ticket for the 2013/14 school year.

The family should continue to liaise with their local Bus Éireann office regarding the availability of transport on a concessionary basis for future school years.