Vol. 499 No. 1
958 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will examine the special needs of the Ballymakealy Estate, Celbridge, County Kildare, where there is a low number of privately owned cars, a high dependency on social welfare payments and a high level of non-attendance at Salesian College; if a special provision for school transport could be provided from that estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1478/99]
Under the terms of the post-primary school transport scheme, pupils can be deemed eligible for transport only if they live at least three miles from, and are attending the post-primary school which caters for their catchment area. Pupils attending their appropriate school who do not qualify on distance grounds may be allowed concessionary transport at £40 per term, provided that there is accommodation available after all fully eligible children have been catered for, and that no extra State cost is involved.
All the pupils to whom the Deputy refers reside less than three miles from Salesian College. I regret, therefore, that the most that may be offered is fare-paying transport, subject to the above conditions. I understand that there is accommodation available on this service.
