Vol. 561 No. 2
236 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is not entitled to school transport to Donaghpatrick-Caherlistrane national school which is 2.4 miles from his house; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a very small re-routing of the school bus would cater for a total of six children who are not now getting a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4097/03]
Under the terms of the primary school transport scheme, only eligible children qualify for free transport. In order to be eligible for school transport, primary school children must live at least two miles from and be attending, their nearest national school.
The child referred to by the Deputy, resides 2.1 miles from his nearest national school and 2.5 miles from the school concerned. As the child does not attend his nearest national school, he is not basically eligible for free transport. However, he currently avails of concessionary fare-paying transport, as there is room available on the service and no extra State cost is involved in facilitating him. The other children referred to by the Deputy are also not attending their nearest school, and are ineligible for free transport to the school concerned.
