asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the need for a school bus service in Reenascreena district, Rosscarbery, County Cork, which would bring children to Ross or Clonakilty secondary schools and facilitate other travellers also; and if so, if he will take steps to have such a service provided.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork School Bus Service.
73.
The question of the establishment of a nation-wide scheme of transport of pupils to post primary schools to which the State might contribute is one which arises for consideration in the context of the future provision to be made for post primary education.
Pending completion of the consideration of that matter, it would not be open to my Department to consider the payment of a transport subsidy in the case of any particular school.
Is it not clear that the Minister's reply relates to something that may be done in ten, 20 or 30 years' time? This question relates to a school in a rural district where the parents are in the lower income group and the children are handicapped in the matter of secondary education. Would the Minister not take immediate steps to provide transport facilities for these children pending the implementation of the overall plan?
The priority indicated will be the provision of school places at that level for all children and then the provision of transport. This is not as far away as the Deputy says.
Would the Minister not agree to ask CIE to provide a bus service here as they are doing—and giving great service—in other districts of West Cork and throughout the country at nominal cost? I want the Minister to use his influence with CIE to extend the service. It is quite clear——
The Deputy may not make a speech on this. He has asked his question at least three times.
Will the Minister not agree that such areas deserve a service such as this, particularly when it is not too costly? There are bound to be adults travelling as well as the schoolchildren.