Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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88. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for school transport on medical grounds in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2408/18]

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 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.

There may be circumstances where an eligible child with a diagnosed illness or physical disability cannot avail of normal school transport services. In such cases the Department is guided by the Chief Medical Officer and children may be eligible for a Special Transport Grant.

The child referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport as she is not attending her nearest national school.

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