Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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788. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the minimum distance of 3.2 km to qualify for school transport, or to apply discretion for low-income families with medical cards, in particular in rural areas with poor road infrastructure, where walking or cycling is not a viable option; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28768/15]

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.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who hold valid medical cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying the annual charge.

Children who are not eligible for school transport, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only which is subject to a number of conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.

The annual charge is €100 per child and is subject to a maximum of €220 per family; it can be paid in two instalments in July and December.

The terms of the scheme are applied equitably on a national basis and I am satisfied with the current criteria for determining eligibility.