Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 March 2014
68. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Education and Skills the financial supports available to assist families to cover the cost of school transport in circumstances where they have medical cards but are required to pay transport charges because the school attended by their children is not the closest to their home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12495/14]
View answerThe purpose of my Department's School Transport Schemes is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest school or education centre. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only subject to a number of terms and conditions that are detailed in the scheme. There is no provision under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme to assist families of children who hold valid medical cards and are availing of school transport on a concessionary basis.
Only children who are eligible for school transport and who hold valid medical cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying the annual charge. However, the annual charge for school transport, which may be paid in two instalments, is a contribution towards the overall cost and does not reflect the true cost of providing these services.
