Vol. 450 No. 6
111 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education the reason free school transport continues to be refused to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny who is ten years of age and whose mother is the holder of a medical card; and whether other children have been granted free school transport on the same school bus in spite of the fact that they too are over the age of ten. [5422/95]
The child in question was eligible for free transport to her nearest school while under the age of ten. As there was no service to the nearest school, under the terms of the scheme she was entitled to travel as a concessionary fare-payer on a special service to her next nearest school. As her parents are medical card holders, the fare was waived while the child was eligible for free transport. However, as the child is now over ten years of age and less than three miles from the school, she is no longer eligible for free transport. In the circumstances, the most that can be offered her is fare-paying transport. As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the other children to whom he refers were granted free transport as an exceptional measure because of specific family circumstances.
