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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - School Transport.

John Perry

Ceist:

359 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 230 of 25 June 2002, if he will have an official from his Department meet a person (details supplied) in County Sligo regarding school transport; the progress made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19968/02]

In order to be eligible for school transport, primary school children must live at least two miles from and be attending, their nearest national school or school of amalgamation. 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.

The pupil referred to by the Deputy requested a home pick up on medical grounds. My Department's medical advisor has examined the medical evidence supplied, and has advised that the pupil concerned does not qualify for a home pick up on medical grounds.
The pupil resides 0.6 miles from the existing route of service. As this is considered to be a reasonable and adequate level of service in the context of the general operation of the scheme, and, as re-routing the service would inconvenience 11 other children, it is regretted that the present arrangement is the most that can be offered. If the family wish to meet with an official of my Department, they may contact the school transport section, Tullamore, at 0506-24352 to make the necessary arrangements.

David Stanton

Ceist:

360 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria required to be eligible for free school transport to primary school, indicating distances from home, school to pick up point and school catchment area stipulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19971/02]

In order to be eligible for free transport under the terms of the primary school transport scheme, children must live at least two miles from, and be attending, their nearest national school. In the case of amalgamations, the national school children for whom the closed national school would have been the nearest, had it remained open, are eligible for transport to the school of amalgamation only. Eligibility is determined by distance to nearest national school therefore, school catchment area stipulations do not apply. 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.

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