Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 November 2017
100. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has satisfied himself that the location of a school transport pick-up-drop-off point (details supplied) provides no health and safety risk to children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51326/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. Currently over 114,000 children, including over 11,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually. Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that the pick-up point referred to by the Deputy has been assessed by Bus Éireann and is considered suitable for this purpose. Parents or guardians are expected to make suitable arrangements to bring their children to and from the school bus, taking whatever safety precautions they may deem necessary to do so.
