Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the way in which catchment areas for school bus transport for secondary schools are drawn up and decided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15539/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In the interest of rational arrangements for the purposes of educational provision, the country is divided into catchment areas, each of which has its own post-primary education centre. These areas were drawn up in the late 1960s in the context of the free education scheme. The catchment boundaries were determined following consultation with local educational interests and the intention was that certain primary schools would feed exclusively into each post-primary centre. A relatively small number of primary schools are shared between two or more centres. My Department provides resources to meet the educational needs of an area on this basis.

Recognised post-primary pupils who live at least 4.8 kilometres from the post-primary centre of the catchment area in which they reside are eligible for transport under the scheme to that centre.

Eligible pupils who wish to attend a post-primary centre other than their appropriate one may be allowed transport from within the catchment boundary of the centre being attended, subject to there being spare accommodation available on the service and provided that no additional State cost is incurred.

Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she has received a report from Bus Éireann in relation to a school bus route (details supplied). [15540/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has requested Bus Éireann to clarify certain matters regarding this case. The Deputy will be advised of the position, as soon as possible.