Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the rules governing the amalgamation of schools with specific regard to the way in which these rules impinge upon the access of students to school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26130/05]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 151: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the rules governing the amalgamation of schools and their impact on eligibility for access to the school transport service will be examined or amended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26132/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 151 together.

Under the terms of the primary school transport scheme children are eligible, subject to conditions, for free transport to their nearest national school or school of amalgamation. Pupils not attending their nearest national school or school of amalgamation may, subject to conditions, avail of concessionary fare paying transport to another school, subject to spare seats being available on the bus and provided that no extra State cost is incurred by extending or re-routing the service. I do not propose to amend these provisions at this time.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if all students who wish to attend a school (details supplied) in County Donegal, and who live more than the specified distance from the school, will be eligible to use the school transport service to get to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26131/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In order to be considered eligible for school transport at primary level, a pupil must reside more than 3.2 km from and be attending their nearest school or school of amalgamation. Pupils who are ineligible for school transport under the conditions outlined above may avail of concessionary fare paying transport to the school being attended, provided the written agreement of the nearest school's board of management or school of amalgamation is obtained and provided there are spare seats available on the existing service, at no additional cost. If the Deputy provides details of the pupils concerned, a report will be requested from Bus Éireann and the Deputy will be advised of the outcome.