Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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782. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a long-running school transport scheme (details supplied) in County Cork is supported into the future; her views that the unique history of the school should be acknowledged in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28643/15]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Under the terms of my Department's Primary 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, is 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.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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783. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a school bus route that has been in operation for a number of years in an area (details supplied) in County Laois will continue to serve students who are in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28675/15]

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 transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre 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 the number of eligible applicants, for the service in question, had fallen below the minimum number required by the closing date for applications in April.

However, they have received a number of late applications and provided these applicants complete the payment process for tickets the service will be retained.