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School Transport Appeals

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019

Tuesday, 23 July 2019

Questions (480)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

480. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the decision not to grant a free school bus ticket will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32419/19]

View answer

Written answers

School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department.

There are currently over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.

Under 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 the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

 Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question is not attending her nearest post primary centre and is therefore not eligible for school transport.

Only eligible children who hold valid General Medical Service Scheme cards are exempt from school transport charges. 

Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only. Concessionary transport is subject to a number of terms and conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.

The family should liaise with their local Bus Eireann office if they wish to avail of transport on a concessionary basis. 

The terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.

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