My Department has been advised by Bus Éireann, that the collection point for the pupils concerned is considered no less safe than similar collection points used by other pupils throughout the country.
As a rule, primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible pupil will have more than 1.5 miles to travel to a pick-up point. Pupils living off the main route of a service are expected to make their own way, or to be brought to convenient pick-up points along the main route. The service in question passes between 0.3 and 0.6 miles from the pupils homes.
The pupil's concerned are considered to have a reasonable standard of service in the context of the general operation of the school transport scheme. In the circumstances, an extension of service is not warranted in this case.