asked the Minister for Education whether he will provide financial assistance to enable transport to be provided for pupils who desire to attend vocational schools and whose residences are situated considerable distances from such schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport for Vocational School Pupils.
78.
Vocational education committees may, subject to certain conditions, provide scholarships to assist in the defraying of travel expenses of pupils who live at a considerable distance from the school. A number of committees have such a scheme in operation.
May I ask the Minister if it is possible for his Department to give the lead in arranging a scheme whereby potential students of vocational schools who live considerable distances away from these schools will get transport facilities to enable them to attend these schools in the absence of any suitable vocational schools in the areas in which they reside? It seems a pity that at 14 years of age children leave national schools and are denied the opportunity of going to a vocational school because they live a considerable distance away from such a school.
I understand the transport system does attempt to provide these services. The field the Deputy has now entered upon is an area which I have under consideration at the moment—the provision of post-primary education, but I am not at the moment prepared to make a statement as to what steps I may take.
The Minister is aware that it is possible at the moment to subsidise the transport of some children to national schools. Is it possible to extend the same facilities to children attending vocational schools?
The vocational educational committees may give scholarships to subsidise transport, subject to certain conditions.
Does the Minister contribute any financial support in that case as he does in the case of national schools?
The arrangement with the vocational schools does involve a State contribution of two-thirds which is paid to vocational educational committees, so that the Department does take a part in any scheme which the committee decides to carry out.
If an educational authority submits a scheme for the transport of children to vocational schools will the Minister look favourably on it?
The committees can give scholarships in such a case. At the moment the question of post-primary education over the whole country is being considered and this is a question which I am examining.
The Minister should remember that we cannot stop children getting old.
They will not get very much older.
If that means an early decision, I am very glad.