Vol. 492 No. 7
329 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the overcrowding of a school bus route (details supplied) in County Cork; if he will investigate the necessity for a second vehicle on the route in view of this overcrowding; and if, in this context he will be in a position to provide school bus transport for persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [14795/98]
I understand that the children in question reside 3.9 miles from their school and are therefore eligible for transport. The families concerned did not avail of transport during this school year, but have requested an extension of the service nearer their homes. This request has been refused as the pupils live approximately two miles from the existing service and are therefore within my Department's guideline of three miles from the route of the bus.
The service currently accommodates 68 pupils on its route, whereas the bus has a legal carrying capacity of 70 pupils. The carrying capacity of the bus on this service will continue to be monitored by the transport liaison officer during the 1998-99 school year,
