Eamon Gilmore
Question:198 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider her refusal to issue a free travel pass to a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who is attending an all-Irish school.
Written Answers. - Free Travel Application.
The School Transport Scheme was basically designed to cater for children in rural areas, who, if living a long distance from school, might otherwise have difficulty in attending regularly. In urban areas, schools are closer to the pupils' homes and scheduled transport is available.
However, children in urban areas, whose parents wish them to attend their nearest school under Protestant management, all-Irish or multi-denominational school may be issued with bus tickets, provided that they otherwise satisfy the conditions of the school transport scheme.
In the case in question, there is an all-Irish school much closer to the pupil's home and she is not, therefore, eligible for transport to the school named by the Deputy.