168 Deputy John O’Donoghue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a transport grant will be made available in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry in view of the fact that there is no room for them on the school bus [37620/10]

Under the terms of the Primary School Transport scheme pupils are eligible for free transport if they reside 3.2 kilometres or more from, and are attending, their nearest national school or school of amalgamation. In the case of amalgamations, pupils residing in a closed school area may be deemed eligible to the school of amalgamation only.

Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, have advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, resides in a closed school area and is not attending his school of amalgamation and therefore, is not eligible for free school transport. Pupils may avail of transport to a school other than the amalgamated school on a concessionary basis. Such an arrangement would be subject to spare seats being available on the service, the agreement of the school of amalgamation being obtained and no additional State costs being incurred by way of re-routing the service. However, Bus Éireann have advised that the service in question is operating to capacity.

The Parents/Guardians of the pupil should continue to liaise with their local Bus Éireann office regarding the availability of seats. As the pupil referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport the question of grant assistance does not arise.