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School Transport Appeals

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 January 2014

Thursday, 16 January 2014

Questions (89)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

89. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kerry has been asked to pay €593.28 or €1,054 for a full academic year in respect of their two children to get them on their school bus at their homes; the way the amount can be justified in view of the fact that the distance off the main route is less than 1 km and the drop-off collection point on the main route would be unsafe for the children and all other road users, and there is no other realistic option; if the amount in question would be waived in view of the fact that there is no safe option for the children on the main route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1824/14]

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Written answers

Safety of children travelling on the school transport services is of paramount importance to my Department and to Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes and is also responsible for designating the pick up and set down points to be used by their bus services. Routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 2.4 kilometres 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 Primary School Transport Scheme as the cost involved on a national level would be prohibitive. In relation to the children in question, Bus Éireann has identified an alternate suitable location for the bus to set the children down after school and advise that the distance to be travelled by the family to the pick up/ set down points is within guidelines. In the circumstances, a re-routing of the service at additional cost is not warranted. Parents of eligible children may, subject to certain conditions, pay for a route extension themselves. Accordingly, the family in question should continue to liaise with their local Bus Éireann office should they wish to proceed with a payable extension to the current service.

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