Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2006
488 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the provision of school transport to a number of children who are pupils at a school (details supplied) in County Donegal. [30992/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the main objects of the School Transport Scheme is to provide a basic level of service for children who live long distances from school and who might otherwise experience difficulty in attending regularly. Bus Éireann are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the School Transport scheme, including route planning. Routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 2.4 kilometres to travel to a pick-up-point. Home pick-ups were never envisaged as part of the Primary School Transport Scheme.
The pupils from the area referred to in the details supplied reside between 0.5 and 2.1 kilometres from the pick-up point. This is considered to be a reasonable level of service in the context of the general operation of the scheme. As the families are eligible for school transport to the school referred to in the details supplied, they should make enquiries at their local Bus Éireann Office regarding the cost of an extension of the service and the conditions attached to the provision of a pick-up-point nearer to their homes.
