Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 1126: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 620 of 21 October 2008 and correspondence (details supplied), if he will clarify if the LUAS system is included within the remit of the school transport scheme and operates discounted fares for students between the ages of sixteen and eighteen years along similar lines to Dublin Bus and the DART; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33219/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that, following consultations between Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department and officials of the Railway Procurement Agency, children who are eligible for school transport under the terms of the School Transport Scheme may, following the approval of an application for transport to their local Bus Éireann School Transport Office, be facilitated with a school transport ticket to use the LUAS Public Transport System.

It is a matter for the operating company to determine the cost of tickets. However, the Deputy should understand that children who are eligible for school transport at primary level and availing of a transport service, travel free. Children who are eligible for transport at post-primary level and availing of a service, including students between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, are required to pay an annual charge, currently €300, unless the family is in possession of a valid medical card. The level of fares applicable for travel on the LUAS is, therefore, not an issue for individual students availing of transport under the School Transport Scheme.