asked the Minister for Education if she has satisfied herself that the possession of a medical card is the most appropriate way to assess entitlement to the free school bus service.

The decision of the previous Government to introduce a charge in respect of school transport as from January 1983 was confirmed by the present Government subject to the modification that exemption from the charge would be given in the case of eligible senior cycle pupils whose parents or legal guardians are the holders of medical cards. I am satisfied that such arrangement is the most suitable which could be made in the circumstances.

Was it the Minister's Government who first made the decision that medical cards would be used as a means of assessing eligibility? Does the Minister accept that the medical card is issued on the basis of guidelines relating to peoples' need for medical care rather than for their assessment for the use of a school bus? Is she aware that there are many people whose incomes are just above the guidelines and as a result of having to pay £3 per week, as some of them will have to pay, those people will now be inside the guidelines and will find themselves penalised by £2 per week?

The Government were the Government who introduced the medical card exemption and we are satisfied that this arrangement is the most suitable that could be made under the present circumstances. As stated already by me and by the Minister of State in my Department the operation of the whole school transport system is under examination in my Department with a view to examining the fare structure and the general structure and organisations of the system.

Would the Minister accept that this will create undue hardship for people who are just above the guidelines for a medical card and that it will cost some families who can ill afford it £2 per week?

I accept that the introduction of charges in school transport causes difficulties for some families just as families in city areas find difficult in meeting payment for bus fares which are at that level also. Unfortunately, in the present financial circumstances, it is necessary to ask for a contribution towards school transport from pupils in accordance with the previous Government's decision.

I understood the Minister, when answering an earlier question, to say that she consulted on every occasion in matters of education since she became Minister. Did she consult the health boards before using the medical card as a method of assessing means for the school bus?

The Deputy perhaps did not hear my previous answer which was that the Minister for Education consulted with all the educational interests involved before proceeding with decisions.

My understanding was that she consulted on every occasion since he became Minister, I asked her if she had consulted the health boards on this occasion. Would the Minister accept that it is a breach of confidentiality, which is a very important element in the delivery of medical care and medical administration, to use medical cards in this way?

I do not accept that.

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