Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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1287. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the case of a child (details supplied) in County Cork; the way a child may avail of a school transport scheme for a bus when no bus serves that school; if she will ensure that the student is allowed to avail of the bus service given that they attend the nearest school to them that is served by a bus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31491/15]

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 the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Scheme has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is not attending his nearest post primary school and is 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.

In this regard the family should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office at 021-4557137/4557129.

While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, eligibility for school transport at post primary level is to the nearest education centre/school.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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1288. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a child (details supplied) in County Clare will be provided with the school transport they are entitled to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31499/15]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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A new school transport service for the child referred to by the Deputy has been sanctioned by my Department in accordance with the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs.

Bus Éireann has advised that a service will be in place shortly and the local office in Limerick (phone, 061 217484) will contact the family directly.