Vol. 487 No. 6
313 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Science if it is possible for the school transport arrangements for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo to be changed in view of the fact that they are causing undue hardship at the present time. [4533/98]
As a guideline, primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, 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.
Home pick-ups were never envisaged as being part of the school transport scheme, as the cost involved on a countrywide level would be prohibitive.
The pupil in question lives 0.6 miles from the route of the existing service. As this is considered to be a reasonable level of service in the overall context of the scheme, I regret that it is not open to my Department to re-route the school bus as requested.
314 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a family (details supplied) is not entitled to school transport in view of the journey they have to travel to bring their children to school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4552/98]
As a guideline, post primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible pupil will have more than three miles to travel to a pick-up point. Pupils are generally expected to make their own way to convenient pick-up points along the main route.
The family to whom the Deputy refers resides 2.2 miles from the route of the existing service. This is considered to be a reasonable level of service in the overall context of the scheme. Furthermore, to extend the service as requested would inconvenience other pupils, as well as incurring significant extra cost. I understand also that the route of the requested extension would be unsuitable for the bus used on this service.
In the circumstances, I regret it is not open to my Department to extend the service as requested.
