School Transport Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2012

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

Questions (204)

Dara Calleary

Question:

204. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions, if any, he will make to accommodate students on a national school bus route (details supplied) in County Mayo [45683/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Bus Éireann operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department. Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Children who are not eligible for school transport, under the terms of the scheme, may apply to Bus Éireann for transport on a concessionary basis provided there are spare seats available on the service, and the appropriate annual charge is paid. Bus Éireann has advised that the family, in question, applied for transport on a concessionary basis but as the service was operating to capacity they could not be accommodated.