Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action she will take in a matter (details supplied) in County Cork regarding the withdrawal of concessionary bus transport to a primary school; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this transport was withdrawn without most parents of pupils receiving notification of same. [17797/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The position generally is that eligibility for school transport is determined by distance from home to the nearest primary school or post-primary centre. The phasing out of the 3 for 2 seating arrangement on school buses arising from the use of seat belts will not affect the overall seating provision for those who are eligible for transport. However, the availability of concessionary transport depends on the number of spare seats available after all eligible pupils have been accommodated.

Bus Éireann has informed my Department that the allocation of seats on the buses operating to the school referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied are being dealt with in accordance with the terms of the school transport scheme. Those seeking transport on a concessionary basis can only be accommodated on the basis of the number of spare seats available.

The Deputy will be aware that significant investment has been made by the Government to address capacity shortfalls arising from the phasing out of the three for two seating arrangement on school buses. A programme for Bus Éireann to acquire a number of new and modern second-hand buses is well advanced. In addition, Bus Éireann has hired-in over 220 additional vehicles from the private sector and the situation is being kept under review.