David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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475. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the exceptional circumstances that pertain to persons (details supplied) with regard to a concessionary bus ticket; if a review of the concessionary bus ticket scheme has taken place; if so, the conclusions of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25899/16]

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 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.

Bus Éireann have advised that the child in question was incorrectly categorized as ineligible for school transport. This error has since been rectified and the child in question has been issued with a ticket.

The Programme for Government commits to review the concessionary charges and rules element of the School Transport Scheme and this review is currently underway.