asked the Minister for Education the reason fares for school transport have been increased from £3.50 to £24.00 per term for the children of parents who reside less than three miles from secondary schools but who are the holders of medical cards despite the fact that the children of parents who live more than three miles from secondary or vocational schools and who are holders of medical cards are allowed free transport for their children.
Written Answers . - School Transport .
700.
: Post-primary pupils who live less than three miles from their appropriate centre are not eligible for transport under the post-primary school transport scheme. Ineligible pupils may be given transport on a special school transport service to their appropriate centre on a purely incidental basis and the term fare in respect of this facility is £24.
The concession available to holders of medical cards, referred to by the Deputy, applies only to eligible pupils attending their appropriate centre. With regard to the amount of the charge payable, it is considered that this should not be less than that payable by any category of eligible pupil.