Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016
149. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person on a medical card who was previously able to avail of free school travel for two years has now been denied a travel pass as the person is not attending the nearest secondary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23185/16]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may avail of school transport on a concessionary basis only subject to a number of terms and conditions including that there are spare seats available on an existing school bus service and payment of the annual charge.
The child referred to by the Deputy has availed of transport on a concessionary basis in recent years and has submitted payment each year in the normal manner.
Bus Éireann has advised that no application for school transport has been received for 2016/17 school year for a sibling of this child.
