School Transport Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2015

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

Questions (614)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

614. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will liaise with Bus Éireann concerning a family (details supplied) in County Offaly who obtained concessionary school bus tickets for their children, but from whom the tickets were withdrawn five days prior to the school commencing the school bus service with the payment being returned; the reason payment was accepted and the family informed they would be accommodated; the reason they did not receive prior notification, considering the closing date for receipt of payments for school transport was 31 July 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36619/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann has advised that the children referred to by the Deputy are 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 availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year, is not available on public scheduled services, and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child's primary school education cycle.

In this regard Bus Éireann has advised that the number of applicants for concessionary seats was greater than the number of seats available and unfortunately it was not possible to allocate seats for the children in question.

As a consequence, the charge paid was refunded.