Vol. 576 No. 3
77 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if the bus service, which transports school children from the Ardleigh area of Mullingar to Presentation Convent School, Mullingar, will also accommodate children in the Greenpark Meadows, Carra Vale, and Carra Grove areas; if same will now be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29579/03]
In order to be eligible for school transport, pupils must live two miles from and be attending their nearest national school. Pupils who are ineligible for transport may be accommodated on existing services as concessionary fare-payers. Concessionary fare-paying transport is subject to spare seats being available after all eligible pupils have been accommodated and no extra cost being incurred in facilitating the pupils.
Pupils in the Greenpark Meadows, Carra Vale and Carra Grove areas all reside less than two miles from the Presentation Convent School in Mullingar and are therefore ineligible for school transport. If the families wish to avail of fare-paying transport, they should contact the local Bus Éireann office in Athlone. The current charge for concessionary fare-paying transport is €26 per pupil, per term.
