Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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791. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on correspondence regarding school transport in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20170/15]

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 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

As the child referred to by the Deputy will not be attending his nearest post primary school he is not eligible for school transport.

Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for 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 in Tralee at 066-7164750 or by e-mail at schools.tralee@buseireann.ie.

While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest school and is not determined by way of subject choice.

The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis.