Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)
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Question 1341: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the contents of a report (details supplied) when a decision will be taken regarding same; the reason for the delays in making a decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1668/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Bus Éireann, which administers the school transport scheme locally on behalf of my Department, is responsible for the day-to-day operation of school bus services. Routes are determined on the basis of numbers of eligible pupils in particular areas, road networks, distance guidelines and other operational factors.

As a rule, primary school transport routes are planned so that, as far as possible, no eligible child will have more than 2.4 km to travel to a pick-up point. Pupils living off the main route of a service are generally expected to make their own way or to be brought to convenient pick-up points along the main route. Home pick-ups were never envisaged as being part of the school transport scheme.

The families residing in the area referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied are being accommodated within guidelines. My Department is not prepared to approve an extension of a service where it is satisfied that children have a level of service within the school transport guidelines. However, parents of eligible children may, where feasible and subject to certain conditions, pay for an extension to an existing transport route. Accordingly, the parents in this case, should they so wish, may consult with the local Bus Éireann office regarding arrangements for a payable extension. I should point out that my Department referred back to Bus Éireann for some additional information with regard to its initial report. This was necessary in order to fully consider the case and reach a definitive decision.