Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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167. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the school bus service; if she will address the issues raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40569/14]

Damien English (Meath West, 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 the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally. Routes, pick up/set down points and timetables are planned on the basis of the locations of children who are eligible for school transport only.

However, the family in question is not eligible for school transport and is currently availing of transport on a concessionary basis; the full terms of such transport are available on my Department's/Bus Éireann's website.

The question regarding the early afternoon dismissal of some children is a matter for the school authorities and the issue concerning the non-collection of some children on the particular day has been raised with the bus contractor.

The telephone number of the local Bus Éireann office is 01-8302222 or alternatively the family may wish to contact the School Transport Section of my Department at 057-9325466/7.