Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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382. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has been informed that the bus route for a school (details supplied) is to be withdrawn in September 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24417/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.

Under the terms of the 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.

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 establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

Bus Éireann has advised that the school transport service operating to the school in question was withdrawn for the 2016/17 school year as the number of children who were eligible for transport had fallen below the minimum number required.

Families of eligible children, for whom there is no school transport service available, are eligible for the remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.

The terms of the scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.