Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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99. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the purpose of the review of the concessionary charges and rules element of the school transport scheme as outlined in the programme for Government, including if this review will result in a further restriction on the availability and financial affordability of school transport, particularly for vulnerable families. [10914/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

Under the terms of my Department's Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 3.2 or 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school or post primary centre as determined by my 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.

A review of the School Transport Scheme as outlined in the Programme for Government will examine the Scheme as it currently operates.

My Department is currently considering how best to progress this review.