Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has taken any steps to provide school transport for children in emergency accommodation which is located far away from their schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19197/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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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 not eligible for school transport may avail of transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of conditions which are detailed in the scheme.

The school transport eligibility of children in emergency accommodation is considered in conjunction with Bus Éireann which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department.