Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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961. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a long-running school transport scheme on a County Mayo island (details supplied) is supported into the future; her views that the unique position of the islands should be acknowledged in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21705/15]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

Bus Éireann has advised that, to date, the number of applicants for school transport for the 2015/16 school year has fallen below the minimum number required to retain the existing service.

Families of eligible children, for whom there is no school transport service available, are eligible for the remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.

The terms of the scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.