Vol. 574 No. 2
232 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if a transport extension can be provided for children living in Crimlin, Claremorris, County Mayo, attending Ballindine national school, Ballindine, County Mayo. [26738/03]
The children to whom the Deputy refers live within 0.5 miles of the route of service to Ballindine national school, their nearest school. As a rule primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 1.5 miles to travel to a pick-up point. Pupils living off the main route of a service are generally expected to make their own way, or to be brought to convenient pick-up points along the main route. Home pick-ups were never envisaged as being part of the school transport scheme as the cost involved on a countrywide level would be prohibitive.
As the children have a level of service within guidelines, and an extension-rerouting of service would involve additional cost, the present arrangement is the most that can be offered by my Department.
