School Transport.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 September 2006

Wednesday, 27 September 2006

Questions (1192)

Michael Ring

Question:

1265 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if an extension will be provided to a school transport service (details supplied) in County Mayo similar to the extension provided in 2005. [28593/06]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science (Miss de Valera)

One of the main objectives of the School Transport Scheme is to provide a basic level of service for children who live long distances from school and who might otherwise experience difficulty in attending regularly.

In general primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible pupil will have more than 2.4 kilometres to travel to a pick up point.

The school transport service provided to the families referred to in the details supplied are within this guideline. My Department understands from Bus Éireann that an extension to the existing service is not feasible due to operational reasons.