Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 2000

Vol. 520 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

247 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science if an improvement will be made in the school transport system in the Ower and Roscahill area of County Galway, whereby children attending the Oughterard school have a long travelling time from first collection in the morning and have a late drop-off time at night waiting for a second bus run, resulting in them wandering around the streets of Oughterard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16000/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

The pupils from the areas concerned have a level of service within guidelines.

As a rule post-primary routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible pupil will have more than three hours travelling and waiting time per day. The first pick-up time each morning is at 08.00 hours and the last set-down in the evening is at 17.15 hours.

A first in, last home, arrangement is in place on the service for operational reasons. In order for the pupils to have a first in, first home, service it would mean engaging a second bus in the afternoons with resultant additional cost.

In the circumstances, it is not proposed to make alternative arrangements at present.