John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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221. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be give to the case made directly to him through correspondence dated 13 September 2016 relative to the school transport system and the way it affects a school (details supplied); if he will intervene in this issue and support small rural-based schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26574/16]

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.

In general children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of terms and conditions that are detailed in the scheme. The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year and is not available on public scheduled services.

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