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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Mar 1989

Vol. 388 No. 3

Written Answers. - School Bus Passes.

150.

asked the Minister for Education if she will consider the issuing of school bus passes to second level students in respect of one daily return ticket for each pupil to be used on the appropriate service to facilitate those pupils who are representing their schools in sports and other areas, such as drama and who are discriminated against because they cannot afford to pay bus fares home if they remain at school for training or rehearsals, being an integral part of school activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

The objective of the school transport scheme is to provide a basic level of service to children who would otherwise have difficulty in attending school regularly.

The vast majority of children on transport are catered for on special services. These services are timetabled to meet the opening and closing times of schools, and it is considered that it would not be practicable to alter this arrangement to cater for extra-curricular activities.

School bus passes may be used up to 5 p.m. by children who use scheduled services. It is not proposed on cost and other grounds to extend this concession. It would be a matter for school authorities to have due regard to the limit of this concession when arranging for pupils to remain in school after normal closing hours.

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