Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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219. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason persons (details supplied) cannot be granted a concessionary bus ticket for secondary school on their medical card, as was the case in primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20765/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

The child in question is not attending her nearest school and is therefore not eligible for school transport. Children who are not eligible for school transport, may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only which is subject to a number of conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge. 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.

Only children who are eligible for school transport and who hold a valid Medical Card (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying the annual charge.

The terms of the scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.