Vol. 556 No. 2
68 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if school transport will be provided for 17 children who attend Kilkenny College from the Inistioge-Thomastown area of County Kilkenny; and if, in view of the number of children involved, he will expedite this request. [19603/02]
I have asked the school transport section of my Department to have this matter examined as a matter of urgency. The Deputy will be informed of the outcome as soon as possible.
69 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the school transport service to accommodate persons (details supplied) who attend Urlingford national school, County Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19604/02]
The children to whom the Deputy refers reside 0.3 miles and 0.7 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. Home pick-ups were never envisaged as being part of the school transport scheme as the cost involved on a countrywide level would be prohibitive. As the pupil's existing level of service is within guidelines, an extension or rerouting of service is not proposed.
