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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

878 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if and when he proposes to implement the recommendations of the 1999 Oireachtas report in relation to road safety, with particular reference to students attending various schools at primary and second level including Scoil Dara, Kilcock, County Kildare; the degree to which current conditions meet the guidelines set out in the report; the action proposed by his Department with a view to acceding to the recommendations and guidelines in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9279/02]

The recommendations of the joint Oireachtas committee report on school transport have been considered in my Department. The provisions of the school transport scheme apply equally to pupils attending all schools, primary and post-primary, including Scoil Dara, Kilcock, County Kildare.

A number of improvements were put in place in 2001. These included reducing the qualifying distance for eligibility for school transport for primary school pupils aged ten and over from three to two miles, so that all primary pupils are treated equally for eligibility purposes. The number of eligible primary pupils required to establish a new school bus service has been reduced from ten to seven. All school transport vehicles now have a communication system on board. The scope of the remote area grants, payable to pupils in certain circumstances, has been extended and the rate of grant payable has been increased. The travelling and waiting time for post-primary pupils has been reduced from three to 2.5 hours. Where feasible, students who are on the early pick-up from their homes are the first to be dropped home in the evening and vice versa.

The safety aspects of school transport are currently being examined by the school transport section of my Department together with Bus Éireann and the Department of the Environment and Local Government. This report has just been completed and copies are available from my Department and the Department of the Environment and Local Government. Submissions are invited from all interested parties. When the submissions are received and examined consideration will be given to the question of what improvements can be put in place to further improve the safety of the children who use the service.
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