asked the Minister for Education if he will reduce the daily average number of eligible children per quarter required to warrant the payment of a State grant towards the cost of transport service for the conveyance of such children from outlying districts to school.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport for School Children.
23.
A State grant may be allowed towards the cost of a transport service for the conveyance of children to school as an alternative to the recognition of and payment of grants to a separate National School for them in their own district.
Under the Rules and Regulations of National Schools an average daily attendance of 10 pupils is necessary to warrant the recognition of a National School. As a condition of the payment of a State grant towards the cost of a transport service, as an alternative, the average daily attendance of eligible children conveyed must normally be not less than that required for the recognition of a National School. In special circumstances, however, State grants are allowed towards transport services where the average number of eligible children conveyed is less than 10.
I do not propose to make any alteration on the general conditions as regards the number to be conveyed.