Vol. 523 No. 3
161 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make arrangements to have fare paying transport approved for persons (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20918/00]
The position generally is that eligibility for school transport is determined by reference to age and distance from the nearest suitable school. To be eligible for free transport, children under ten years of age must live at least two miles from, and be attending their nearest national school, while older children must live at least three miles away.
Where a child is attending a school other than the nearest, it is necessary to obtain the written agreement of the board of management of the nearest school to the provision of fare-paying transport. By seeking the written agreement of the nearest school before allowing this concession, there can be no question of my Department facilitating a change in enrolment patterns or encouraging children to leave their appropriate nearest school. No application is considered without this agreement.
The board of management of the nearest school in this instance has not consented to give a written agreement to the provision of transport, as it is entitled to do.
