Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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212. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the family of a person (details supplied) in County Galway has been advised that their child is not eligible for school transport in view of the fact that the school in question is the most suitable school as it is multi-denominational and the family is non-Christian and the student in question has attended a non-denominational national school which was in line with the family ethos; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27019/14]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school 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. In relation to school transport provision, ethos relates to religious ethos and is in the context of provision for minority religions.

Bus Éireann has advised that the child is 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 for school transport on a concessionary basis only subject to a number of conditions which are detailed in the scheme. In this regard the family should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office regarding the availability of such transport for the 2014/15 school year.