Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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207. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to continue to extend eligibility to free transport to children from an area (details supplied) in order that they can continue to avail of free transport to their current secondary school, pending the outcome of the Governments review of the school transport scheme. [23981/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

During the 2014/15 school year Bus Éireann discovered that a number of children were incorrectly assessed as eligible for school transport and were availing of free transport because they held valid medical cards.

The families were informed of this error and were also advised by Bus Éireann that from the 2016/17 school year the terms of the scheme will apply.

The children in question may avail of school transport on a concessionary basis which is subject to a number of conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.

In this regard families should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office at 074 9131008 regarding the availability of transport on a concessionary basis for the 2016/17 school year.

It is important that the terms of the Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.