Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if action will be taken to retain the school bus service under the primary school transport scheme for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23166/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme a minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the retention of a school transport service, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

Bus Éireann has advised that the number of applicants for school transport for the 2016/17 school year, to the school in question, has fallen below this minimum number and as a result the service will not operate for this school year.

In general, families of eligible children will be paid the Remote Area Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.

The terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.