Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Given the increase in the School Transport Section workload at the commencement of a new school year combined with the routine administrative work in relation to school transport provision generally, regrettably, it was not feasible to deal with the increased volume of representations in a more timely manner.

In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, I can advise that 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 km from and are attending their education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question is not eligible for school transport as he is not attending his nearest school; he is currently availing of a school transport service on a concessionary basis. School transport on concessionary basis is subject to a number of terms and conditions including that routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis.

Parents are responsible for ensuring that children are brought safely to and collected safely from designated pick up and set down points.

The terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme which are available on my Department's website at www.education.ie are applied equitably on a national basis.