306. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Youth If she will ensure a school bus ticket is awarded to a pupil (details supplied). [67009/26]

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

Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Where a child is eligible for transport and the application and payment process has been completed on time, they will get a seat on a school bus service, where a service is available.

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; previously known as concessionary seats.

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

Bus Éireann have advised the pupils residing in the area referred to by the Deputy who are attending the post primary centre referred are not eligible since they are not attending their closest post primary centre.

Bus Éireann has further advised that at present there are two services operating from the area referred to the post primary centre referred and that these services are currently operating at capacity.