Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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35. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is aware that a school (details supplied) in County Westmeath is in breach of its planning guidelines, due to excessive traffic at the school gates since the withdrawal of the school's bus service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43878/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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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 my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

I understand that there are a number of children who wish to avail of transport to the school in question who are not eligible for school transport as they reside less than 3.2 kilometres from the school.

Children who are not eligible for school transport may avail of transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions including the availability of spare seats and the payment of the annual charge.

In this regard, parents should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office in Athlone at 090 6473277.

In general, individual school authorities are responsible, in the first instance, for ensuring the safety and welfare of children and others in their care.

I also wish to advise the Deputy that the issue of road safety measures outside the vested site areas of schools, such as road signage, traffic calming measures, parking etc., is a matter that should be raised in the first instance with the relevant Local Authority.