Vol. 471 No. 7
236 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Education whether a letter from a group (details supplied) in County Galway has been brought to her attention; if so, the proposals, if any, she has to alleviate the difficulties in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21509/96]
The letter to which the Deputy refers was received by my Department, and the case has been examined in detail.
All of the pupils concerned reside less than three miles from their appropriate post-primary centre, and are basically ineligible for transport under the school transport scheme.
Special transport on medical grounds was sought in respect of one pupil, for whom medical evidence was submitted to my Department. However, on the basis of the evidence received, the medical adviser determined that the appropriate conditions do not apply.
In the circumstances, my Department is not in a position to sanction an extra service to facilitate the pupils concerned. There are, however, a limited number of spare seats available on this service, which have been offered to these pupils as fare payers on a first-come, first-served basis.
