Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 July 2015
282. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will examine the application for free secondary school transport to a school in County Kerry, in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Kerry; if she will arrange to have a ticket issued to the child, the same as has been issued to the child's sibling; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29422/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that from the commencement of the 2012/13 school year, school transport eligibility for post primary children is being determined by reference to the distance they reside from their nearest post-primary education centre having regard to ethos and language.
Children who were eligible for school transport prior to the introduction of the above change will retain their transport eligibility for the duration of their post primary education cycle provided there is no change to their current circumstances. These children are exempt from paying the annual charge if they hold a valid medical card (GMS Scheme).
All new applicants including siblings of these children will have their eligibility determined by reference to the distance they reside from their nearest post primary education centre or school.
In this regard, distance eligibility for school transport is determined by measuring the shortest traversable route from a child's home to the nearest education centre or school.
The child in question is not attending her nearest school and is therefore not eligible for school transport. Children who are not eligible for school transport, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only which is subject to a number of conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.
The terms of the scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.
