Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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405. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school run (details supplied) in County Tipperary which was deemed eligible for school transport for ten families will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1116/18]

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

Currently over 115,000 children, including almost 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 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 Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary 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 in the case referred to by the Deputy, there are currently 7 eligible children who have applied for school transport to the school referred to by the Deputy.

Where there are not enough eligible pupils residing in an area to warrant the establishment of a service, a remote area transport grant may be paid by the Department to the parent/guardian of the eligible pupils concerned.  Bus Éireann will forward the applicants’ details to the Department, which will then contact families directly regarding the Remote Area Grant.

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