Vol. 481 No. 4
237 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will give approval for a school bus to be diverted off the main road to collect school children (details supplied) from four separate households in County Mayo. [16062/97]
238 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will confirm that the diversion of a school bus will be approved at no extra cost to the parents of four children (details supplied) in County Mayo as promised by his Department's inspector. [16063/97]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 237 and 238 together.
As outlined in my reply to Question No. 551 from the Deputy on Tuesday, 30 September 1997 the four families in question live between 1.3 miles and 2.1 miles from the present pick-up point. This is considered to be a reasonable and adequate level of service in the context of the general operation of the scheme.
As an extension to the present route would inconvenience 15 other pupils who already have an early pick-up time of 7.45, I regret that it is not possible to make the change requested by the Deputy.
Bus Éireann acts as agents for my Department in the day-to-day operation of the school transport scheme. I have been informed by the transport liaison officer that no promise was given by the Bus Éireann inspector regarding a diversion of this service.
