Vol. 546 No. 1
177 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will rescind the decision made on the extension of school transport for a person (details supplied) in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31247/01]
In order to be eligible for free school transport, pupils at primary level must reside at least two miles from and be attending their nearest suitable national school. Where children are ineligible for free transport they may be allowed concessionary fare paying transport subject to the agreement of the nearest school being secured. It is also subject to spare seats being available after all eligible pupils have been accommodated and to no extra state cost being incurred in facilitating the pupils. An extension to an existing service may only be considered where a pupil has a medical condition which would prevent him-her making their own way to a pick up point and where he-she is attending his-her nearest suitable school.
The pupil in question resides in a school area other than the school attended and would be eligible for free transport to his appropriate school only. He is currently availing of concessionary fare paying transport to the school of attendance. As the pupil concerned is not attending his nearest suitable school it is not open to my Department to extend the route as requested.
