1314. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will address the need for a school bus place for students in County Kildare (details supplied). [62526/26]

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.

Bus Eireann has advised that the pupils mentioned by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport as they are attending their 2nd nearest post primary centre. Bus Éireann further advise there is no service from where they reside to this 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.