asked the Minister for Education if he would reduce the £4 levy on children who are not eligible for free transport to Grange Vocational School, County Sligo; and if he will make this a levy of £2 per term and £6 per school year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Sligo School Transport.
71.
The fare charged to post-primary pupils given the privilege of travelling on school buses as fare-paying passengers is fixed on a uniform national basis and no reductions can be made for particular areas. This fare has remained unchanged since September, 1970, despite substantial cost increases in the meantime. It compares favourably with the fares charged to pupils similarly circumstanced who travel on the ordinary public bus services.
Where three or more members of a family travel as fare-paying passengers on school buses, generous concessions are allowed on the basic fare of £4 per term. These concessions benefit parents with large families. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to accede to the Deputy's request.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary be prepared to make a concession in the case of families where the parents are medical card holders or families with very low incomes?
That is a separate question.
That does not arise on this question. The question relates to children in Grange vocational school in Sligo.
I am sure the Minister will find some of the parents there are medical card holders.