asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the hardships endured by the children of Doobeha, Ferrus area, Crossmolina, who have to travel about three miles to Glenmore school, and, if so, if he will arrange to have transport facilities provided for them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport for School Children.
I am aware that there are school-going children in the townland of Doobeha who have to travel about three miles to Glenmore school.
The difficulty in this case is that the Department's regulations require that there shall be sufficient children eligible for transport available to ensure that the daily average number of children conveyed would reach at least ten. In order to be eligible for conveyance to school by a transport service a child should be between six and ten years of age and reside not less than two miles from the nearest suitable national school, or be between ten and 14 years of age and reside not less than three miles from such a school.
According to the information at my disposal there are seven or eight children residing in Doobeha who are eligible for conveyance to school on a State-aided transport service, and a grant towards the cost of the provision of a transport service would not, therefore, be permissible under the regulations. My Department is, however, in communication with the reverend manager with a view to having the matter further investigated.
Would the Minister not consider changing the regulations so as to facilitate these people in view of the mass emigration from these areas?
There are a number of matters in relation to the provision of transport services for children in sparsely populated and widely scattered areas which are a source of constant consideration, investigation and discussion. The matter will be borne in mind when our conversations with the reverend manager are taking place and before they are concluded.