Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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390. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide free school transport for a child (details supplied) In County Longford. [35502/15]

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.

The child referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport as she is not attending her nearest national school.

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.

However, Bus Éireann has advised that the child cannot be accommodated on the existing service as this service is operating to capacity.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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391. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if full home status was awarded to students attending secondary schools in County Limerick in circumstances where the school attended is not the school closest to their home; the criteria under which these awards were made; when this new assessment process commenced; when it ceased; if the criteria changed nationally, or just for Limerick schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35563/15]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy may be aware that a Common Application System (CAS) was agreed between the post-primary schools in the Limerick area. The CAS is the process by which the transfer of 6th class primary school children to the participating post-primary schools is managed; there are currently 15 post primary schools participating in the system. This administrative system ensures that a coordinated approach can be taken to enrolments in the area.

This system has been facilitated through the Limerick Education Centre (LEC) with support from my Department. Such support includes the provision that children who reside in the Limerick area are eligible for school transport where their nearest post primary school is included in the CAS, they have enrolled through the CAS and they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from their school of attendance.

This arrangement reflects the eligibility criteria for school transport nationally insofar as children are eligible for Post Primary 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.

Applications for school transport may be completed on Bus Éireann's website at www.buseireann.ie.