Vol. 492 No. 4
363 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will have arrangements made to provide a school bus service for pupils from Lengarra, Danesrath and Knocktopher, County Kilkenny, who attend school in Thomastown, County Kilkenny, in view of the fact that the service comes within one mile of Danesrath but is full at this point; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14440/98]
The children to whom the Deputy refers reside in a closed school area, and under the terms of the scheme, are eligible for free transport to the school of amalgamation. However, as they are attending another school, the most that can be offered is concessionary fare-paying transport on the existing service.
Fare-paying tickets may only be issued where there is accommodation available after all eligible children have been catered for, and no additional State cost is involved by way of altering or extending the route of a service, or providing an additional or larger bus.
Accordingly, I regret it would not be open to my Department to provide a bus service for these pupils as requested.
