Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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78. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills why a student (details supplied) has been refused access under the school transport scheme despite having travelled to school under the scheme since September 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11038/16]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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79. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students similarly affected by an oversight of Bus Éireann under the school transport scheme which has resulted in a student (details supplied) being deemed ineligible for school transport to the school the student has been attending for a number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11039/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.

Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

The children referred to by the Deputy are not attending their nearest school and are therefore not eligible for school transport. However, Bus Éireann has confirmed that these children are currently availing of a school transport service.

In the case of the child that was incorrectly granted eligibility for school transport will retain this eligibility for the current school year and for the 2016/17 school year; the terms of the scheme will be applied with effect from the 2017/18 school year.

In relation to the number of children that have been incorrectly assessed for school transport eligibility Bus Éireann has advised that although the total number is not available, in the context of the 114,000 children availing of school transport, the number is not significant.