Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on issuing concessionary tickets to pupils of a school (details supplied) in County Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33337/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, only eligible children qualify for free transport. In order to be eligible, children must live 3.2 kilometres or more from, and be attending, their nearest national school. Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport Service on behalf of my Department, has advised that the pupils referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied are not eligible for free transport but may apply for transport on a concessionary fare paying basis. 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 the 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.