Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 96: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills if a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42189/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Bus Éireann which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department, is responsible for matters such as the planning of bus routes, the timetabling of services and the designation of pick up and set down points in such a way as to ensure that, as far as possible, pupils have a reasonable level of service consistent with school transport policy while at the same time, ensuring that school transport vehicles are fully utilised in an efficient and cost 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. Parents/guardians have a responsibility to ensure that their children are brought safely to and collected safely from designated pick up and set down points. Bus Éireann has advised that the family referred to by the Deputy in the details supplied live within 0.7 kilometres from a pick up point on the route of a service to the school in question. As the family has a level of service within guidelines, it is not proposed to alter the current arrangements.