Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
319. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether a student who qualifies for free school transport and who with regard to the Irish language is now travelling to a school that is not the nearest post primary school, should have to pay for school transport; if it contravenes the criteria as determined by his Department and Bus Éireann having regard to ethos and language (details supplied) [47767/12]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's post primary school transport scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 km from and are attending their nearest education centre, as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is not attending his nearest education centre as determined by my 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. Only eligible children who hold valid medical cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying the annual charge.
