asked the Minister for Education if he proposes to provide free transport to students who will be attending post-leaving certificate courses at the regional colleges in Athlone, Carlow, Dundalk, Sligo and Waterford; and, if so, if he will outline the details of such a scheme.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Transport.
30.
Free transport will be provided for pupils attending second level courses at the regional colleges subject to the normal conditions.
There is at present no scheme for the provision of free transport for students attending third level courses.
Would the Minister be able to outline further to what conditions?
The normal conditions of the minimum number, the travelling time and the distance at which the pupils live from the schools.
Did the Minister state in his reply that he will provide free transport?
No, I did not. I am having this matter examined.
Does the Minister think that the pupils who will be attending these courses in the coming academic year will have free transport? If not, how will they get to the schools? There will be pupils from the very south end of Offaly, I imagine, attending the school in Athlone and coming from distances of approximately 30 miles from Birr and Banagher and those areas, and these children will be deprived of the courses that are available in this school if they have not free transport.
This is a matter I am considering and it relates, perhaps, to a certain extent, to his first question.
I had hoped the two would be taken together.
The Deputy will appreciate that we have 93 questions on the Order Paper and we are trying to get through as many as possible.
I rarely if ever detain the House at any length. This is an important question because, if transport is not provided, it will mean that the pupils will not be able to get to these schools to avail of the courses provided.
As I said, I am examining the whole situation.