asked the Minister for Education whether, further to a reply of 17th July with regard to the provision of transport for children attending Ballingeary School, County Cork, any decision has yet been reached in this matter; and, if so, if he will give details of what transport it is proposed to provide for these children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of Ballingeary (Cork) School Pupils.
136.
My Department has decided to make a grant towards the cost of conveying children residing north west of Ballingeary to schools in that village. The Reverend Manager has been informed of the conditions governing the grant.
Would the Minister consider including the district east of Ballingeary? There are about four townlands which are outside the distance for children to travel and surely they are entitled to be facilitated?
The area not fully catered for by the service has been examined. It is considered that the present arrangement will make adequate provision for people in that area who would need the transport.
Is the Minister aware that there are a few families residing more than three miles from the school and does he expect schoolchildren to walk daily more than three miles to school? Surely they should be accommodated just as much as the families who have been provided for recently?
The information I have got is that only one family was not catered for by the service and that that family, while they live three miles from the school, are one mile from the proposed route being provided and that they will thereby be serviced.
My information, which comes from the local priest, is that there are four families and he is just as likely to be as truthful and correct in his statement as the Minister. I should like to know if the Minister will reconsider this question, review it and possibly the additional families could be accommodated? Would the Minister be prepared to review the matter as his information does not seem to be up to date?
My information is from the same source as the Deputy's.
That is most enlightening.
I shall have it examined.
In any case, there are 11 additional children to be catered for and possibly the Minister would be able to extend the present system to include them.
In view of the possibility of different information from the same source, I shall have the matter examined.
So that nobody is a liar yet.