Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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431. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review an issue (details supplied) in County Cork regarding student transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45021/14]

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 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 pupils referred to by the Deputy are not attending their nearest Post Primary Centre and are therefore not eligible for school transport.

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

Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Scheme has advised that there are spare seats available on the service in question. However, the times of the service may not be suitable for pupils attending the schools referred to by the Deputy due to the distance that must be travelled after alighting the bus.

In this regard the families should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office at 021 - 4557137.