Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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424. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in Dublin 16 did not qualify for a school bus in view of the fact that it was moved to a new site at a campus in Churchtown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46949/17]

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 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 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 of school transport services.

Bus Éireann has advised that the criteria for establishing a service to the school in question have not been met.

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

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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425. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason parents of students at a school (details supplied) in County Dublin have not been contacted regarding their application for a school bus; if the school is eligible for a bus; if not, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46950/17]

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 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 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.

I understand that the children in question are not eligible for school transport because they are not attending their nearest school.

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