Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 715: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if school bus transport will be provided for first year pupils attending a school (details supplied) in County Limerick as a result of the discussions between officials of her Department and the parents committee of the school on 7 October 2005; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the parents are seeking no new concession merely the maintenance of the status quo which has prevailed since the mid 1990s; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28740/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The report of the recent meeting between parent representatives and officials of my Department regarding school transport for first year pupils attending the school referred to by the Deputy has been presented to me and the Minister of State, Deputy Síle de Valera. The key consideration in this matter was that the arrangements were contrary to the provisions of the post-primary school transport scheme. The Deputy will appreciate that the scheme is intended to be of general application throughout the country and any departure from its provisions damages its integrity. Therefore, while I note the strong views of parents on the matter, my concern is to ensure that such services are accessible by all eligible students on an equal basis.