Vol. 508 No. 1
954 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 267 of 29 June 1999 regarding school transport, his attention has been drawn to correspondence (details supplied); if he will ensure that this will not recur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18375/99]
As I explained in my reply to Parliamen tary Question No. 267 on 29 June 1999, in order to achieve maximum co-ordination of school transport services in relation to the opening and closing of primary and post-primary schools, a calendar of school days is drawn up each year by the transport liaison officer in consultation with the schools involved. Where schools fail to agree a calendar, the transport liaison officer has instruction to draw up a calendar for the area, which ensures that there is no duplication of service. All schools are given the opportunity to submit a calendar for the year before timetables are decided. The fact that a service does not operate to the school in question on certain days is in line with the operation of a co-ordinated calendar. To sanction transport services for days outside the co-ordinated calendar would undermine the co-ordination process and would also involve significant extra costs, which would not be justified. In the circumstances I cannot give the guarantee being sought by the Deputy.
