Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 545: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the reasoning behind the withdrawal by Bus Éireann of a bus route servicing second level schools in Loughrea, Castledaly and Kilchreest, County Galway and replacing the route with a service which has later collection times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33948/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Bus Éireann operates the school transport service on behalf of my Department. Routes are planned in such a way to ensure that, as far as possible, eligible pupils have a reasonable standard of service with regard to pick-up points and travel and waiting times, while at the same time, ensuring that school transport vehicles are fully utilised in the most efficient and cost effective manner.

My Department has been advised by Bus Éireann and the Transport Liaison Officer for Co. Galway that the combined travel and waiting times for the pupils referred to by the Deputy remain within the general guidelines of the School Transport Scheme.