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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 5

Written Answers - School Transport.

Austin Deasy

Question:

11 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the poor quality of some of the public transport serving St. Declan's community school, Kilmacthomas, County Waterford, and the hardship caused to certain pupils in view of the transport rota; if she will have these matters attended to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5212/97]

There are eight large buses providing school transport for 487 pupils attending St. Declan's community college, Kilmachthomas, County Waterford. There are arrangements in place to ensure that vehicles used in the school transport scheme meet all safety standards and are suitable to operate school transport services.

For operational reasons, buses serving St. Declan's community college also serve a number of other schools and locations. This means some pupils are picked up early in the morning while some are dropped off later in the evenings. This is, and has always been, a feature of the school transport scheme as operated throughout the country. However, every effort is made to keep waiting times to a minimum.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a meeting will take place shortly between the school authorities, the transport liaison officer and Bus Éireann to discuss the bus services to St. Declan's College.

Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, is committed to providing the best overall standard of service possible, having regard to the resources available to support the school transport system as a whole.

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