asked the Minister for Education who decides whether national school pupils who walk more than three miles to school get free public transport; whether he is aware that in a number of cases in the Kenmare and Firies areas of County Kerry children attending national schools and availing of public transport were taken off the buses by CIE and told to go to their local school; whether he is aware that in one case in the Kenmare area the child could not avail of religious instruction as a result of such action; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport of Schoolchildren.
43.
The eligibility of pupils for free transport to national schools is decided by my Department in accordance with the school transport regulations. These regulations provide that to be eligible for conveyance a child must be: (i) between five and ten years of age and reside not less than two miles from the nearest suitable national school; or, (ii) between ten and 14 years of age and reside not less than three miles from the nearest suitable national school.
It has been ascertained from Córas Iompair Éireann that there was a delay in the issue of tickets for free transport on school services, in some areas in County Kerry, due to organisational difficulties. As a result some ineligible children travelled for a time on the services. As soon as the position regarding eligibility was clarified those ineligible children were refused accommodation on the services by CIE. With regard to the second part of the Deputy's question, I have no information regarding the case he mentions.
On what basis did the Minister's Department decide those age limits?
On a commonsense basis, between five and ten as the youngest, two miles would be appropriate and between ten and 14, three miles would be appropriate.
Just an arbitrary figure.
A figure related to the age groups.