School Transport Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 June 2015

Wednesday, 17 June 2015

Questions (198)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

198. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the distance in kilometres, as determined by Bus Éireann, from Urris to Carndonagh Community School in County Donegal, and the distance in kilometres, as determined by Bus Éireann, from Urris to either Crana College or Scoil Mhuire in Buncrana in County Donegal, using the main routes, and not the road through Mamore Gap; if she is aware that Bus Éireann has confirmed to families that it will not be using Mamore Gap when transporting students from Urris to their nearest secondary school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24067/15]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, has confirmed that Buncrana post primary education centre is the nearest education centre to families residing in the Urris area.

Distance eligibility for school transport is determined by measuring the shortest traversable route from a child's home to the nearest education centre.

The Deputy will be aware that the shortest traversable route between a child's home and the nearest education centre may be either a pedestrian or vehicular route, and it is not necessarily the route that the school bus takes.

The terms of the school transport scheme are applied equitably on national basis.