Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Department of Education and Skills

School Transport Availability

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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194. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills why a school bus service is not available for a school (details supplied) with delivering equality of opportunity in schools status, given that over 28 of the pupils are travelling from a distance of not less than 3.2 km from their residence, they are all attending their nearest national school, the number includes the minimum number of ten children living in a distinct locality, thus meeting all the necessary criteria for a school bus service from Knocknacarra and Clybaun to the school, and yet Bus Éireann has confirmed that it cannot provide such a service unless directed by him to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11741/16]

Photo of John HalliganJohn Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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The purpose of my Department's Primary 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 this 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 the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann has advised that children residing in the area referred to by the Deputy are unlikely to be eligible for school transport to the school in question as it is not their nearest national school. They have also confirmed that no applications for school transport have been received from the families concerned for the 2016/17 school year.

Families who wish to avail of school transport and have their eligibility status assessed should, in the first instance, apply for school transport at buseireann.ie.

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