School Transport Availability

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2015

Tuesday, 7 July 2015

Questions (489)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

489. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if students from the Urris area of Clonmany in County Donegal who commenced at a school (details supplied) in September 2012, or subsequently, but who are now being informed by Bus Éireann that they reside closer to secondary schools in Buncrana, will have to pay the concessionary school transport fare to continue to avail of school transport to Carndonagh; if the concessionary fare will be waived to allow them to complete their education at the school, given that they are only now being informed that her Department regards them as residing closer to Buncrana; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27198/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

School transport eligibility is determined under the terms of the relevant School Transport Scheme.

It is important that the terms of the Scheme are applied equitably, nationally.

Where an error in relation to eligibility is discovered, school transport eligibility is retained by children for the remainder of the school year in which the error is detected. Thereafter, the terms of the scheme must be applied.