Vol. 452 No. 5
85 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the school transport arrangements to Balla secondary school from a locality (details supplied) to enable a number of children to remain at their homes for a longer period than at present, so that their secondary school study periods are maximised. [8323/95]
In the organisation of school transport services, Bus Éireann plans routes in such a way to ensure that, as far as possible, every eligible pupil has a reasonable standard of service from the point of view of timetable, while at the same time ensuring that school transport vehicles are utilised in the most efficient manner. In order to do this, individual vehicles are generally required to operate a number of services to schools and, consequently, extended timetables often require some pupils to make an early start in the mornings and to wait for some time in the evenings.
In the case of post-primary services, routes are planned, in conjunction with the transport liaison officer, so as to ensure the minimum possible travelling and waiting time daily.
The arrangement which applies in the case of school transport to Balla post primary centre is that a double trip is in operation. This is a feature of the school transport scheme as operated throughout the country. The standard of service here is considered reasonable, and the present method of catering for pupils keeps waiting time at the school to a minimum. In these circumstances it is not open to my Department to offer anything beyond the service available at present.
