Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising the matter. The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. The Senator may be aware that under the terms of the scheme children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 km from attending the nearest school, and at post-primary level not less than 4.8 km from attending the nearest post-primary school or education centre, as determined by the Department and Bus Éireann, and having regard to the ethos and the language.

Bus Éireann has advised that pupils residing in Cavan town are not eligible for school transport to St. Bricin's post-primary school, which is part of the Belturbet post-primary centre as they are nearer to Cavan town post-primary school centre.Children who are not eligible for school transport but complete an application and pay, or enter their medical card details on time, may be considered for any spare seats available after eligible children have been accommodated. These spare seats are called concessionary seats and are subject to a number of conditions, including that there is an existing service in place with spare capacity.

Bus Éireann has advised me that 11 children applied for the Cavan town transport to St. Bricin's College. All these pupils are concessionary because they are not attending their nearest post-primary school. It further advised that there is no school transport service from Cavan town to the college in Belturbet that children from this area can avail of. A minimum number of ten eligible children residing in the district locally, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of the school transport system, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits. Routes may be altered or extended depending on the number and location of eligible children who would be availing of school transport for the following school year.

The Senator mentioned in her opening remarks that there was some indication that a school service would be running from Cavan town to Belturbet. Under the rules and terms and conditions of the scheme, transport would not normally be going from one town to another. If the Senator has details, I might follow up. That seems to be in conflict with the terms and conditions of the scheme. I will follow up on the issue if the Senator has some information in that regard.