Vol. 552 No. 1
692 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide school transport from Clough, Ballacolla, County Laois, to girls attending Brigidine Secondary Convent, Mountrath in view of the demand in the area. [11284/02]
792 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the school transport regulations to facilitate a school bus serving Brigidine Convent, Mountrath in the Aghaboe area of County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11791/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 692 and 792 together.
The country is divided into catchment areas at post-primary level for educational planning purposes, including the provision of school transport services. School transport services may be established where there are sufficient numbers of eligible pupils to warrant such provision. To be eligible for full school transport, pupils must attend a school within their catchment area and reside three or more miles from that school. Pupils attending school in an adjacent catchment area are not eligible for full school transport but may avail of catchment boundary facilities from the nearest pick up point in the catchment area of the school attended, provided there is room on the bus after all eligible pupils have been accommodated. If the names, addresses and dates of birth of the pupils, referred to by the Deputy, are provided, my Department will investigate the matter as soon as possible.
