asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that children from Dunbeacon, Bantry, County Cork travel a total of 72 miles to and from Bantry school daily; and, if so, if he will take steps to provide a direct service for them which would reduce the mileage to 20 per day.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Cork School Transport.
34.
The position in relation to this case is that the school bus was based in Dunbeacon and serviced a very large area south west of Bantry.
Following representations made to me recently on behalf of the Dunbeacon parents, the Department have had a detailed study of the problem carried out at local level. I am happy to say that arising out of this study CIE were authorised last week to provide a new feeder minibus service to and from Dunbeacon each day to connect with the school bus at Durrus. This will provide a very much improved standard of service. CIE hope to have the new service in operation within the next few days.
Does the Minister think it fair that in any part of Ireland children should have to travel 72 miles in going to and from school? While I appreciate his difficulties so far as the geographical layout is concerned, would he not consider in extreme cases making residential school grants available to children living in isolated areas, which would solve the problem?
Let us see how what we are going to do in the future will work out.