Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 2

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

144 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will extend a school bus route to include an original pick up point for persons - details supplied - in County Cork which was withdrawn a number of years ago; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are now a number of children in the area. [17526/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Two of the families in question reside closer to another school, and, accordingly, their children are not eligible for school transport. The third family resides 1.2 miles from the route of service to the school.

As a rule, primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 1.5 miles to travel to a pick-up point. Pupils living off the main route of a service are generally expected to make their own way, or to be brought to convenient pick-up points along the main route.

Accordingly, the current arrangement is the most that can be offered by my Department.