John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 388: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if school transport will be provided for persons (details supplied); and if a decision in the case will be expedited. [28172/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, has confirmed that applications in respect of the two pupils referred to by the Deputy were received by the relevant Bus Éireann local office. However, as they do not reside at least two miles from the school concerned, as required under the terms of the primary school transport scheme, they were deemed ineligible for free transport. Pupils who do not meet the distance requirement may, subject to conditions, including the availability of spare seats after all eligible pupils have been accommodated, avail of concessionary fare-paying transport.

My Department understands that one of the pupils concerned has been offered concessionary transport subject to the usual conditions, but that there were not sufficient seats available to offer the second pupil this option.