asked the Minister for Education if she will outline her policy with regard to subsidised school transport services for multidenominational schools; the way in which that compares with the provision of those services for denominational schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - School Transport Services.
267.
Transport services to multidenominational schools are determined within the context of the objective of the school transport scheme which is to provide a basic level of service to those children who would otherwise have difficulty in attending school regularly.
Within this context the following services are available: where a multidenominational school is a child's nearest school it may be deemed his appropriate school if he so wishes, and if he is basically eligible he may have free transport, if available; where a pupil is attending a multi-denominational school which is not his nearest school, and if transport passes in his area which serves the area of the multi-denominational school, he may be allowed concessionary farepaying transport, subject to the usual conditions of (i) being basically eligible, (ii) spare accommodation on the bus being available and (iii) having the agreement of his appropriate school.