John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will ensure that school bus transport is provided for persons (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the reason the service was discontinued in each case; if she will expedite a response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19987/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Service on behalf of my Department, has advised that a number of pupils attending the school referred to in the details supplied were availing of concessionary transport.

I should point out that concessionary transport is not guaranteed. Pupils availing of such transport may only do so if spare seats are available on school buses and this is determined on a term-to-term basis by reference to those who are fully eligible for transport under the terms of the school transport scheme.

The introduction of one-for-one seating arrangements on school transport services does not necessarily mean that concessionary transport will be discontinued. However, parents of pupils should check in advance of the school year to ascertain the position regarding the availability of concessionary transport on school buses.

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.