Vol. 434 No. 2
104 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education whether a child with spina bifida who has a medical card is exempt from payment for a school transport ticket without production of a medical card for her parents; and if so, if she will direct Bus Éireann accordingly in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Cork.
I understand that the pupil in question has been getting transport on a scheduled service since 1990, when she first applied. Until now, neither my Department nor the Transport Liaison Officer had ever been made aware that there were any difficulties in relation to this child.
My Department provides free transport on existing school transport services to post-primary pupils whose disability, having regard to the opinion of my Department's medical adviser, warrants it.
As soon as this pupil furnishes a medical certificate to the Transport Liaison Officer, she will be issued with a free permit, without reference to the production of medical cards.
