Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 September 2011
33 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills the current eligibility criteria which operate in respect of free bus travel for students who are repeating their studies for the leaving certificate; if any derogation exists for students who are undertaking their studies in schools which are not the closest institutions offering repeat leaving certificate courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25149/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the current terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme, pupils are eligible for transport if they reside 4.8 kilometres or more from their local post primary education centre, that is the centre serving the catchment area in which they reside.
Pupils who are fully eligible for transport to the post-primary centre in the catchment area in which they reside may apply for transport on a concessionary basis to a post-primary centre outside of their own catchment area — otherwise known as catchment boundary transport. These pupils can only be facilitated if spare seats are available on the bus after all other eligible children travelling to their ‘own' post-primary centre have been catered for. Such pupils have to make their own way to the nearest pick up point within that catchment area.
The current pupil charge for post primary transport is €350 per annum subject to a family maximum of €650. Eligible pupils who hold valid medical cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from these charges.
