Vol. 509 No. 6
635 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to extend the school bus transport system to students attending post leaving certificate courses in rural areas due to the fact there is no available public transport and the present school bus system is unable to meet the demand as the buses are full with students attending post primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21692/99]
School transport services first and foremost are provided to assist primary and post-primary pupils attend school. Students attending post leaving certificate courses are primarily responsible for their own transport.
636 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will have a school bus service made available to students (details supplied) in County Leitrim to have them dropped off at the point from which they are entitled to a bus service. [21693/99]
Post primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible pupil will have more than three miles to travel to a pick-up point. Pupils are generally expected to make their own way to convenient pick-up points along the main route.
The pupils to whom the Deputy refers reside 0.5 and 0.9 miles from the route of the existing evening service. This is considered to be a reasonable level of service in the context of the general operation of the school transport scheme. In addition, there is no alternative suitable turning point on the route of the evening service.
In the circumstances I regret that the present level of service is the most that can be offered by my Department.
