Vol. 500 No. 4
388 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has received correspondence from a group (details supplied) in County Roscommon in relation to the continued provision of a school bus service which has been in place since the 1960s with the agreement of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter assuring the parents and the pupils that this service will continue. [4327/99]
Eligible post-primary pupils attending school outside their catchment area may be allowed transport only from within the catchment boundary of the school they attend, subject to spare accommodation being available on the service and provided no additional State cost is incurred. The correspondence referred to by the Deputy, dated 7 February 1999, relates to the continued provision of a school transport service which encroaches upon an adjoining catchment area. In 1997 following representations to my Department, it was agreed to extend this arrangement until June 1999. The matter is being re-examined by my Department having due regard to all the issues involved. The Deputy will be informed of the position as soon as this re-examination has been concluded.
