Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

480. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the school transport supports or allowances in place to assist parents and guardians of post-primary pupils at risk of early school leaving; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43313/14]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The purpose of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest education centre.

Under the terms of the scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Children who are eligible for school transport pay an annual charge of €350 subject to a maximum of €650 per family per annum. This charge, which may be paid in two instalments in July and December, is a contribution towards the overall cost and does not reflect the true cost of providing school transport services.

Children who are eligible for school transport and who hold valid medical cards (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying the annual charge.

The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis.