Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 534: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will investigate the school transport service provided to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason this person has to walk so far to the pick up point in view of the fact that this service used to pass by their house; the reason this person is not being collected from home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17040/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has already outlined the position to the Deputy based on a report provided by Bus Éireann.

Primary school transport 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. 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.

Bus Éireann, which is responsible for the day to day operation of the school transport scheme, on behalf of my Department, has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, resides 0.64 kilometres from the pick up point. The family should liaise with Bus Éireann regarding the availability of a payable extension to the current service.