Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 436: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reason persons (details supplied) in County Galway are not entitled to free transport or fee paying transport to a school in view of the fact that all their parents went to the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18909/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme only eligible children qualify for free transport. In order to be eligible, children must live at least 3.2 kilometres from, and be attending, their nearest national school. According to the information available to my Department, the pupils referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied are not eligible for free transport as they reside nearer to another school.

However, children who are not eligible for free transport may be allowed to travel on the school bus as concessionary fare-payers subject to spare seats being available after all fully eligible children have been catered for, and provided there is no extra State cost involved.

The parents of the pupils referred to in the details supplied should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office regarding the availability of spare seats on the school bus.