Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 424: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the guidelines laid down by her Department regarding the length of time primary school children are allowed to spend travelling on school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44835/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Bus Éireann operates the school transport service on behalf of my Department. Over 134,000 children are carried each day on school transport to primary and post-primary schools. 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 cost effective manner.

In general, at primary school level, school transport services are organised to ensure the maximum travel and waiting time does not exceed 1.5 hours.

In regard to children with special educational needs, Bus Éireann endeavours to provide the best possible transport service for these children. The size of vehicle required is determined by the number of special needs pupils requiring the service and the suitability of the vehicle to meet the requirements of the pupil. The Deputy will appreciate that it is not always possible to facilitate a child, by virtue of his or her special needs, on a regular school transport service. Furthermore, many children with special needs travel long distances from home to the nearest: recognised mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under my Department's criteria. Individual school transport, such as a taxi service, may be deemed to be the most suitable and appropriate mode of transport. In these circumstances, the travelling time for children with special needs can vary depending on the nature of the service being provided.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 425: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the review of the school transport scheme, including catchment boundaries provided for in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44837/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the proposals for progressing the commitment given in the Programme for Government to review the school transport system including catchment boundaries are almost complete. I expect to be making an announcement on the matter shortly.