Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Unfortunately, I have found that to be the position, which is why I take the opportunity to highlight the rules on such occasions. Eligible pupils who wish to attend post primary schools in another catchment area may be allowed transport on school services from within the catchment boundary of the centre being attended, subject to there being spare seats available on the school transport service and at no additional cost to the State. The pupils themselves are responsible for getting to the catchment boundary or to the nearest school bus service within that catchment area.

Eligible pupils who are approved for catchment boundary transport are not guaranteed school transport for the duration of their education at that centre. As a concessionary measure, continued transport will depend on the availability of spare seats on the school service to that centre each school term.

In regard to the specific issue of transport for children from the Blackwater area of County Wexford, my Department's school transport section is satisfied on the basis of the map held in the Department, which is the definitive map——

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