School Transport Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2012

Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Questions (249)

Pat Breen

Question:

249. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) has not been facilitated with school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56793/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Changes to the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme mean that 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 child referred to by the Deputy is not attending his nearest education centre and is therefore not eligible for school transport.

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 subject to a number of a conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and the payment of the annual charge.

Only children who are eligible for school transport and who hold valid medical cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying the annual charge.