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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 2002

Vol. 552 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Paul Connaughton

Question:

787 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason families (details supplied) from the townland of Coor baun, Bullaun, Loughrea, County Galway, are not entitled to free school transport to Bullaun national school; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that due to one of the children being Down's Syndrome with special needs and even though this person is given free transport their brothers and sisters are only allowed on the bus on a fee paying basis; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that it is not possible for low income families to find the money for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11744/02]

Under the terms of the school transport scheme only eligible pupils qualify for free transport. In order to be eligible, pupils at primary level must reside at least two miles from and be attending their nearest suitable school. Where a school closes and amalgamates with another, pupils for whom the closed school would have been the nearest had it remained open are eligible for free transport to the school of amalgamation only.

The families concerned reside in the Danesfort closed school area which closed into Loughrea national school. Consequently they are eligible for free transport to Loughrea national school only. Pupils who suffer from a medical condition which would prevent them making their own way to a pick up point on an existing service are eligible for free transport to their nearest appropriate school.

Any pupil for whom Danesfort national school would have been the nearest had it remained open or who reside less than two miles from Ballaun national school are eligible only for concessionary fare paying transport to Ballaun national school.

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