Vol. 450 No. 4
34 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Education if she will grant transport to all pupils of national schools in view of the danger being posed for young children attending national schools who have to use national primary roads and are debarred by the present regulations from availing of free transport. [2996/95]
The school transport scheme provides a basic service for about 50,000 eligible primary school children who might, otherwise, find it difficult to attend school regularly. It was never intended to provide a door-to-door service for all eligible pupils.
Arrangements exist to provide transport for approximately 11,000 ineligible primary school children on State services, on a fee-paying basis, where it is possible to do this without incurring additional costs.
The cost involved in extending existing transport services to all pupils attending primary schools, numbering in excess of 500,000 pupils, would be prohibitive and unsustainable.
The safety of school-going children is obviously of paramount importance. The overall operation of the school transport scheme is constantly under review to ensure that the best and safest possible service is delivered.
