Vol. 446 No. 6
197 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education if she will review school transport in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois who is collected at 7.30 a.m. and deposited in school in Portarlington at 8.10 a.m. in view of the fact that the school does not start for a period of almost an hour; her views on whether the position is satisfactory; and if she will review the situation. [2538/94]
This pupil resides in the Athy catchment area and is fully eligible for transport to that centre. However, since he has chosen to attend a school in Portarlington, the most he can be allowed is catchment boundary transport. This is granted, subject to there being room on the bus and provided there is no extra cost to the Exchequer. Since extra cost would be involved in providing an enhanced service, I do not propose to review the arrangements.
198 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding post-primary school pupils' entitlement to school transport if they live more than three miles from school. [2579/94]
The position is that recognised post-primary pupils who live three miles, or more, from the post-primary centre of the catchment area in which they reside, are eligible for transport to that centre, under the terms of the scheme. Eligible pupils who wish to attend a post-primary centre other than their appropriate one may be allowed transport from within the catchment boundary of the centre being attended, subject to there being spare accommodation available on the service and provided that no additional State cost is incurred.
199 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Education, with reference to Parliamentary Question No. 86 of Thursday, 20 October 1994, if she will make further inquiries concerning a school transport matter in view of correspondence (details supplied) submitted to her office. [2634/94]
As I said in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 86 of 20 October 1994, I will be glad to have the matter investigated by my officials. I will advise the Deputy of the outcome of these investigations as soon as they have been completed. The details furnished by the Deputy were received in my Department on the afternoon of 26 October. Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on the Department's behalf, has been asked to investigate and report on the matter as soon as possible.
