Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. He referred specifically to transport "on a concessionary basis" in accordance with the terms of the scheme. I ask him to elaborate on the future of the concessionary scheme. Could a student who has attended a school for a year find himself or herself without any transport to that school? Does the Department envisage that a student in such a position would have to change to a different school midstream, perhaps at the start of second year? Is he aware that private buses can cost more than €900 per annum? How many mistakes have been accepted by the Department in cases involving this specific school? Can he confirm that the measurement used by Bus Éireann relates to a school that is no longer situated at Tower Hill in Portlaoise but is now situated 1,000 metres away? If that is the case, it indicates to me that the process is not accurate. What has the Minister of State done since this issue was first brought to his attention after the school year started at the end of August? How many mistakes have been found by the Department? Will the Minister of State accept that the measurement is fundamentally wrong? Bus Éireann's measurement relates to an area that is 1,000 metres from where the school is now situated. I am seeking clarification on this matter. The area of Portlaoise that is used for the purposes of measurement is Tower Hill, but the school there has been closed for more than a year. The new school is located at Borris Road in Portlaoise, which is at least 1,000 metres from the former site at Tower Hill.

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