Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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577. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a post-primary school in County Kerry (details supplied) will be confirmed to be the second nearest school under the school transport scheme to concessionary students in a location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42539/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020. 

All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application and payment process on time for the 2021/22 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.  In addition, all post-primary pupils who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied and paid on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. This arrangement is in place for current school year pending completion of the full review of the School Transport Scheme.  

Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and are offered seats where capacity exists after all eligible children have been catered for.

Pupils who reside in the area referred to by the Deputy may be eligible or concessionary to the school in question depending where they reside in the village.