Written answers

Wednesday, 20 February 2008

Department of Education and Science

School Transport

9:00 pm

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 165: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will review the pick-up and drop-off point distance for school transport from 2.4km to a lesser distance to facilitate large numbers of students who do not reside along a main road and as a result must wait for their bus at a specified location that in many cases is not safe from traffic hazards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5090/08]

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Bus Éireann operates the school transport services on behalf of my Department. It is a major logistical operation which involves the planning of bus routes in such a way as to ensure that, as far as possible, eligible pupils have a reasonable level of service while, at the same time, ensuring that school transport vehicles are fully utilised in an efficient and effective manner.

As a rule, 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.

Safety of children travelling on the school transport service is of paramount importance to my Department and to Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann place special emphasis on safety and, to this end, have a wide range of checking procedures in place to ensure that a safe and reliable service is provided. The designation of specific school bus pick-up points is an operational matter for Bus Éireann. I should say, however, that parents and guardians also have to play their part in ensuring that children are brought to and collected safely from relevant pick up points along the route of the journey.

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