Michael Healy-Rae
Question:221. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1613/16]
View answerThursday, 14 January 2016
Questions (221)
Written answers
Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, has confirmed that from a safety perspective turning buses at the school in question cannot be recommended. To serve this school some buses would have to use a junction which has been deemed unsafe for this purpose because buses would have to make a left-hand turn and in doing so the bus would be obliged to take up the opposite side of the road. Given the number of buses involved, it is not considered feasible by Bus Éireann to divert all of these buses to collect and drop off at the school. As previously advised while some children are dropped at the school in the morning, in the evening all children must travel to meet the services at a central point; this is a common feature of the school transport scheme nationally.
Bus Éireann has been requested to contact the school Principal to fully explain their safety concerns.