Enda Kenny
Question:196 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Education if she will have arrangements made to provide a second bus in order to provide an efficient and proper service for pupils at a school (details supplied) in County Mayo.
Written Answers. - County Mayo School Transport.
In organising school transport services, Bus Éireann plan routes in such a way as to ensure that, as far as possible, every eligible pupil has a reasonable standard of service from the point of view of time-table, while, at the same time, ensuring that school transport vehicles are fully utilised in the most efficient manner. In order to do this, individual vehicles are generally required to operate a number of services to schools and, consequently, extended time-tables often require some pupils to make an early start in the morning and to wait for some time in the evening.
Such an arrangement applies in this case and I am satisfied that the standard of service from the Cahermaculeek area is on a par with that available in other areas. In the circumstances, I am not in a position to authorise the provision of an additional vehicle in this case.