Written answers

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

Department of Education and Skills

School Transport Eligibility

Photo of Brian WalshBrian Walsh (Galway West, Independent)
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848. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a child (details supplied) in County Galway will be permitted to avail of a bus service under the school transport scheme to travel to the nearest multidenominational post-primary school, in view of the fact that eligibility for the scheme has explicit regard to ethos; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40920/14]

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien 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 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.

In relation to school transport provision, ethos relates to religious ethos and is in the context of provision for minority religions.

Bus Éireann, which operates the scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that the child in question is not attending his nearest post primary centre and is therefore not eligible for school transport.

In general, children who are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme may apply for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions that are detailed in the scheme.

In this regard, the family should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office in Galway (Tel. No. 091-537512) regarding the availability of school transport on a concessionary basis.

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