asked the Minister for Education if in view of the fact that the rural population of the State is decreasing, and in order to guarantee school children living in remote parts of the country the amenities available to their brethren in city and urban areas, he will amend his departmental rule whereby it is necessary to have at least ten eligible children attending national schools to qualify for subsidised transport, and make the number of such children five.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of School Children.
105.
Under the existing practice of the Department a lower minimum average attendance than 10 may be accepted for the purpose of State grant-in-aid in cases of transport services for the conveyance of children to school where considerable difficulty in attending school would be experienced by the children concerned.
The position generally in relation to the minimum average attendance required to warrant State aid for the conveyance of children to school is at present receiving attention in my Department.