Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1397. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding pupils from Educate Together primary schools who have applied for free transport to their nearest recognised Educate Together post-primary school in the context of a school (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34098/14]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that 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 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

The school transport scheme as it has operated at second level has a very restrictive approach to providing transport to other than the nearest school on the grounds of ethos. To provide transport in the circumstances set out by the Deputy would represent a significant change to the operation of the scheme with potentially wide ranging cost and other implications.

Given this fact, I have asked officials to consider this matter in its wider context and to revert to me in due course with their analysis. That said, the present position remains that I am unable to accede to the request for eligibility for transport provision in this case.