Michael Creed
Question:363 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will have arrangements made to provide school transport for children (details supplied) in County Cork. [17677/97]
Written Answers. - School Transport.
The pupils referred to by the Deputy have a school transport service in operation to the school in question. They live between 0.2 miles and 1.3 miles from the route of the service.
As a rule primary school transport routes are planned so that no eligible child will have more than 1.5 miles to travel to a pick-up point. Pupils living off the main route of a service are generally expected to make their own way to convenient pick-up points along the main route.
Given that the level of service is considered to be satisfactory in the context of the general operation of the school transport scheme, I regret that I am not in a position to authorise the change as requested by the Deputy.
Michael Creed
Question:364 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will have arrangements made to restore adequate school transport for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [17678/97]
I understand that, due to a medical condition, the pupil referred to by the Deputy cannot be facilitated on the normal network of school transport services.
However, my Department has sanctioned a medical grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements. This grant has been paid to the family since September 1994.
However, no claim has to date been received by my Department in respect of payment of the grant for the 1996-97 school year.
I would like to reassure the Deputy that payment will be made immediately on receipt of a statement from the school authorities, certifying the number of days the pupil attended during the school year.