James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 73: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has had their grant to take their children to school withdrawn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46905/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The family referred to by the Deputy, in the details supplied, were in receipt of a remote area grant as there was no school transport service available to meet their transport needs.

However, Bus Éireann which operates the School Transport Scheme, on behalf of my Department, has advised that the family can now avail of a school transport service to and from school.

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 2.2 kilometres from a pick up point and that this pick up point is considered to be as safe as other designated pick-up points being used throughout the country.

As the family has a level of service within guidelines, it is not proposed to alter the current arrangements.