Vol. 555 No. 5
192 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if an official from his Department will call to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo to discuss their child's school transport needs; and if the arrangement of a meeting can be expedited in view of the problem in this matter. [18817/02]
The family in question resides outside the catchment area of the post-primary school attended. Eligible pupils, who wish to attend a post-primary centre other than their appropriate one, may be allowed transport from within the catchment boundary of the centre attended, subject to there being spare accommodation available on the service and provided that no additional State cost is incurred.
It is not open to my Department to allow a service encroach into another school catchment area as this would be contrary to the terms of the scheme. In the circumstances, a meeting with an official from my Department to discuss the issue would serve no useful purpose.
