Debate contribution: Dunseverick Primary School: Bus Service

Debate contribution by Mr Paul Givan on 14 September 2026.

MLA: Mr Paul Givan
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 14 September 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Dunseverick Primary School: Bus Service
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5685704

Text

Thank you. Members rightly raise the issue of the three-mile distance rule for post-primary schools and the two-mile rule for primary schools and whether pupils have a safe route to walk to school. That will be reviewed by the EA, and, if evidence can be presented that there is not a safe route for a pupil, the EA will take that into account.
The two-mile rule and the three-mile rule are underpinned by legislation, and amending those would require a change in the law. I know that EA does apply the provisions, which I can understand in the financially difficult space in which we operate. I have often referred cases in which there is no safe route to the EA for it to review, and I will be happy to do that on behalf of the Member if she has any cases to raise.

144 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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