Charles Flanagan
Question:183 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to a school transport problem in County Laois, (details supplied); and the steps, if any, she proposes to take to resolve the problem.
Written Answers. - County Laois School Transport.
I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers. The position is that, as the children in question are not attending their nearest appropriate national school, they do not have a school transport entitlement.
My Department operates a scheme under which grants are paid towards the cost of private transport arrangements for children who are attending schools under Church of Ireland Management, live at least three miles from the nearest appropriate school and for whom school transport is not available.
The two families in question applied for grant aid under this scheme. One family would be eligible were the children attending their nearest appropriate school. However, as they are attending a different school, the question of grant-aid does not arise. The children of the second family are not eligible for grant-aid, as they live under three miles from their nearest appropriate school.