Gay Mitchell
Question:670 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide free transport for persons (details supplied) from the Cherry Orchard area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8102/01]
Written Answers. - School Transport.
In the light of the particular circumstances of this case, I have asked the school transport section of my Department to review the application for school transport.
My Department will shortly be in contact with the principal teachers of the two schools in question to obtain the necessary pupil details. The Deputy will be advised of the outcome in due course.
Gerry Reynolds
Question:671 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim is not being provided with a suitable school bus service. [8105/01]
A transport service to a Church of Ireland national school may be established where there are five or more eligible children, living in a distinct locality, seeking transport to the nearest such school. To be eligible for transport a pupil must live two miles or more from their nearest suitable school and be attending that school.
The position in this case is that the pupil is eligible for transport to the school concerned. However, there is an insufficient number of eli gible pupils from the area to warrant the establishment of a service.
The pupil can be incidentally accommodated on a service which passes his school. The family appear to be unhappy with this service in view of the waiting time before and after school.
As an alternative, my Department has offered the family a remote area grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements from their home to the school. Based on the mileage involved, the grant would amount to £2.60 per day.