School Transport.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 November 2008

Thursday, 20 November 2008

Questions (183)

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

183 Deputy Ruairí Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if it costs more for a child to use the LUAS to travel to school than using the DART because the school transport scheme does not apply to the LUAS; if this practice is unfair at best and discriminatory at worst; when his Department will rectify this issue; if all public transport, be it LUAS, DART or bus should be available to all school-children at a subsidised rate as a matter of principle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42020/08]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science (Deputy Seán Haughey)

I indicated in replies to recent Parliamentary Questions from the Deputy that my Department has requested Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme, to review the issues in question. My Department has no plans, however, to extend school transport services to children who are not eligible for transport and who use public scheduled bus and train services.

If the Deputy has any particular case in mind or has information regarding the extent of the demand from eligible children to use the LUAS, my Department will be glad to have their transport arrangements investigated.