Vol. 506 No. 4
24 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education and Science the position of parents travelling with their children on the school public transport service; the accommodation, if any, given to parents in recent years on the school transport service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15002/99]
The school transport scheme provides a basic level of service for children, primarily living in rural areas, who might otherwise have difficulty attending their nearest school regularly. Accommodation on school transport is used to maximise the carrying capacity for eligible and fare paying pupils. No provision is made under this scheme for parents to accompany their children to school.
In urban areas schools are closer to pupils homes and accordingly fewer pupils qualify under the terms of the scheme. Where pupils in cities are eligible under the terms of the scheme and reside within the range of public scheduled transport, they are issued with term tickets on those services. These tickets are for pupils only and do not make provision for accompanying parents.
