Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the school transport scheme as a pupil travelling to school on the Dart pays €4.70 but pays an extra €1.30 per week to travel on the Luas; if her Department can make recommendations to a company (details supplied) to have this reduced for pupils using the Luas at school times to travel to and from school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37686/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The school transport scheme, which is operated by Bus Éireann on my Department's behalf, facilitates the transportation of over 125,000 children to primary and post primary schools each day including approximately 8,000 children with special educational needs.

School transport services are delivered using a mix of Bus Éireann, both school transport and road passenger vehicles, private contractor vehicles including private operator scheduled services, Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, DART and LUAS where practical. Eligible primary school children travel free and eligible post primary children pay €300 per annum. A maximum family charge of €650 is in place and provision is also made for children from families with medical cards.

My Department has no authority in relation to the prices charged for the transportation of schoolchildren outside of the School Transport Scheme on services provided by licensed public service operators on a commercial basis.