1279. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will consider the provision of a school bus service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57108/26]

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.

Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.

Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.

Bus Eireann has advised that the pupil mentioned by the Deputy is a Concessionary pupil and is not eligible for school transport as they are attending their 3rd nearest post primary centre. There is an existing mainstream service available however the service is currently operating to capacity at present. This pupil applied and paid on time however they were unsuccessful in obtaining a ticket for the 26/27 School Year.