Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 501: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if alternative suitable arrangements will be arranged in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26575/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is attending a special class at primary level some distance from her home and is sharing a transport service with a number of other pupils attending the same class.

On foot of requests for the provision of a more direct transport route in respect of the pupil concerned, my Department requested a report from Bus Éireann, which organises the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department. The report, recently submitted by Bus Éireann, has confirmed that, having regard to the transport needs of all the pupils concerned and the costs of an alternative transport arrangement, the current standard of transport service is deemed reasonable.

My Department endeavours to provide suitable transport for all pupils attending special schools and special classes. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that transport services for both primary and post-primary children must be co-ordinated and transport routes planned and shared in such a way as to provide the most efficient and cost-effective service.

Liam Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 502: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if approval will be given for school transport on a fare paying basis for children (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [26576/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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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 may, subject to conditions, avail of concessionary fare-paying transport to another school, subject to spare accommodation being available on the bus and provided that no extra State cost is incurred by extending or rerouting the service. Pupils who do not meet the distance requirement may also avail of concessionary fare-paying transport subject to similar conditions.

The eligibility of the pupils referred to by the Deputy for concessionary fare-paying transport will be assessed by Bus Éireann, which organises school transport on behalf of my Department, on receipt of the necessary applications, subject to the terms of the school transport scheme.