School Transport.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004

Tuesday, 30 November 2004

Questions (438)

Michael Ring

Question:

489 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if the school transport service provided to the children of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can be extended, in a similar way to the service provided many years ago; if her Department received a report on this case from the transport liaison officer as mentioned in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 558 of 29 September 2004; if this case has been reconsidered; and if so, the decision which was made. [31361/04]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

The children to whom the Deputy refers live one mile from the route of service to the post-primary centre in question. As a rule post-primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than two 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.

Bus Éireann has advised that the road and pick-up point in question are considered no less safe than similar roads and pick-up points used by children throughout the country. My Department has no plans to make alternative transport arrangements for the children concerned as their present level of service is within guidelines.