553 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science if additional seating has become available for students who previously availed of concessionary transport on a bus service operating to a primary school (details supplied) in County Limerick. [35271/06]

Under the terms of the primary school transport scheme a pupil is eligible for transport if s/he resides 3.2 kilometres or more from the nearest primary school. Pupils residing less than 3.2 kilometres from their nearest school may be offered transport on a concessionary fare-paying basis subject to spare seats being available and provided that no additional cost is involved.

Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, has confirmed that applications for concessionary fare-paying transport were received in respect of a number of pupils. However, it was not possible to accommodate these pupils as all the seats have been assigned to fully eligible pupils. Parents should liaise with the local Bus Éireann office regarding the availability of spare seating.