It is not open to my Department to approve the extra cost of providing school transport for the children in question. To cater for the eligible children concerned would involve an extension of the existing service, or the establishment of a new service, at substantial extra cost.
A school transport service may only be established where there is a minimum of ten eligible children in a distinct locality offering for transport. In this case, only four of the seven children to whom the Deputy refers are eligible for free transport to St. Senan's National School.