Vol. 480 No. 6
553 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education whether school transport can be provided for children (details supplied) in County Mayo to an alternative school in view of the distress caused to the children at their previous school. [14266/97]
For the purposes of the post-primary school transport scheme, the country is divided into catchment areas. Recognised post-primary pupils who live at least three miles from the post-primary centre of the catchment area in which they reside are eligible for transport.
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 spare accommodation being available on the service and provided that no additional State cost is incurred.
The pupils in question are not attending their nearest post-primary school. Accordingly, they may be allowed catchment boundary transport to the centre they attend.
554 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education when changes to a school transport system (details supplied) in County Mayo will be implemented in view of the fact that they were promised in July 1997, effective September 1997, but nothing has happened. [14267/97]
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the changes to which he refers have been implemented with effect from Monday, 22 September 1997.
Bus Éireann, who act as agents for my Department in the operation of the school transport scheme, have been requested to monitor and report on the new arrangements.
