158 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 168 of 26 October 2006, the reason her Department has failed to make contact with the family concerned which is at complete variance to her letter of 4 September 2006 and the reply of 26 October 2006; her views on whether this is an acceptable practice; the number of other parents who were given such a commitment and have yet to be contacted by her Department; the criteria for the establishment of a school transport service; the reason such a service can not be put in place for the children in question when others closer to the school are being provided with a service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38296/06]

In view of the nature of the transport arrangements available to the family in question my Department has continued to work closely with Bus Éireann if an effort to provide the family with a more suitable service. In the meantime, a letter is being issued to the family explaining the position.