Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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125. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an application for bus tickets for persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28014/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann.

The children in question are not eligible for school transport as their home address is less than 3.2 kilometres from the school in question. Children who are not eligible for school transport may avail of school transport on a concessionary basis only, subject to a number of conditions which are detailed in the scheme.

Bus Éireann has advised that there are spare seats on an existing service and in this regard the family should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office (01 830 2222) if they wish to avail of school transport on a concessionary basis.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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126. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused school transport to a school when their sibling has been granted school transport to the same school and there is a number of spaces available on the school bus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28020/16]

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.

The first child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport and is currently availing of a service.

In the case of the second child the family should liaise with the school authorities and the Special Education Needs Organiser if they have additional information that was not available when their original application for school transport was completed.

This child's eligibility for school transport will be re-assessed on the basis of any new information submitted.