Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Ned O'Keeffe

Ceist:

1150 Mr. N. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will consider extending a school bus route to include an original pick-up point for primary school children which was withdrawn a number of years ago; and if his attention has been drawn to the hardship being imposed on persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [1408/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Two of the families in question reside closer to another school and accordingly, their children are not basically eligible for school transport. The third family is eligible for transport and 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 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.