Vol. 512 No. 3
323 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the position on school transport for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the changes, if any, made in his arrangements in the past two years; and the proposals, if any, he has to change the arrangements for him. [26105/99]
As a rule, primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible pupil will have to travel more than 1.5 miles to the pick-up point. The pupil to whom the Deputy refers resides 0.9 miles from the existing pick-up point.
The service in question operated along the requested route on a temporary basis, while road repairs were under way on the normal route. To re-route the service permanently would not affect existing primary pupils, but would inconvenience post-primary pupils whose current first pick-up time is 7.50 a.m. It would also involve additional mileage.
An application for special transport on medical grounds was received, but declined by my Department's medical advisor, who determined that the child's condition would not prevent him from making his own way to the pick-up point.
In the circumstances, I regret that the present level of service is the most that can be offered by my Department.
