asked the Minister for Education the regulations governing the provision of transport for children attending schools at some distance from their homes in the Dublin area.
131.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of Dublin School Children.
130.
asked the Minister for Education whether it is the policy of his Department that school children may be transported from outlying housing areas to schools in central Dublin, but may not be transported from one housing area to a school in another housing area; and, if so, what is the justification for such a regulation.
132.
asked the Minister for Education whether it is the policy of his Department that school children may be transported from outlying housing areas where there is a lack of school accommodation to schools in central Dublin; and, if so, what were the reasons for his recent refusal to provide transport to a school in central Dublin for 50 pupils from the Finglas area.
I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to take Questions Nos. 130, 131 and 132 together.
Arrangements have been made for the transport of children from certain areas in the outskirts of Dublin to national schools in the central city area pending the provision of adequate school accommodation in their own districts.
In relation to this as to other matters regard must be had to cost. I am satisfied that the present arrangement, i.e., bringing the children to central city schools, is fully adequate and the least expensive.
As regards the 50 pupils concerned the refusal related only to their conveyance to a particular school. This would have involved the setting up of a service on a new route with an attendant additional cost.
Is the Minister not aware that 50 children are asking to be brought to a school in the centre of the city?
As I say, we are providing adequate transport to schools for them at the least cost to the taxpayers.
Is the Minister suggesting that those children should transfer from the school they are attending at the moment and go to one to which he would bring them?
We are providing transport to schools for children who have not schools available in their own district and we are providing it at the least expense to the taxpayers.
Surely that should not be the primary consideration?
Granted adequate schools and adequate transport, then the cost is a consideration.
The parents, surely, have some say in the choice of schools?
Not as regards the choice of school in connection with primary education.
Having regard to the locality?
We do not provide primary education on that basis.
Is the Minister aware that Strand Street, the school the children are going to, is in the centre of the city? They are being brought from Finglas.
I suggest that you refer the matter to the Minister for Transport and Power.
The fact is that the children would require separate transport.
If they changed their school, accommodation would have to be found for them in a bus and that would mean that the buses going to this other school which the Minister has in mind would not be sufficient and the Minister would have to lay one on.
If we do what the Deputy suggests, it would require a separate service and that would involve extra cost. That gets back to what I said.