asked the Minister for Education if it is his Department's intention to change the catchment areas of primary schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Primary Schools Catchment Areas.
24.
For the purpose of the scheme of free transport for primary schools a child is deemed eligible for free transport if (i) he is under ten years of age and residing at least two miles from his nearest suitable school, or (ii) he is over ten years and residing at least three miles from such school. These age and distance limits are embodied in the School Attendance Act, 1926, and determine accessibility to school in the case of primary school children. I do not propose to change these limits in relation to the free transport scheme.
That is not the question I asked. I asked if the catchment areas are being changed because, as the Parliamentary Secretary is well aware, these areas are being flouted and some schools have to close which would not have to close if the catchment areas were imposed. That is the purpose of the question which the Parliamentary Secretary has completely ignored.
Is the Deputy saying that the question does not relate to transport at all?
I am referring to the closure of schools in particular. Schools are being closed because catchment areas are being flouted.
Could I ask the Deputy from where does he derive the catchment areas to which he refers?
Cooley, Kilcommon, Killarney.
I am not aware that there has been any definition of catchment areas. On what does the Deputy base the suggestion that catchment areas, which, in fact, do not exist to my knowledge, are being flouted.
(Cavan): There are catchment areas for primary schools.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary assure me that his Department have not issued any letter of closure to a national school because another national school nearby has got an increase in enrolment? There is a case in point in County Waterford. In the case of Coolnasmear national school notice of closure was served because enrolment had fallen. This was corrected over a period of two years and the notice had to be withdrawn. This type of carry-on by the Department is causing some concern.
That may arise from Deputy Begley's misinterpretation of catchment areas. It certainly does not arise from the question and I can give the Deputy no such assurance.
Is it not the case that whichever is the nearest school to a person, that is the catchment area in which he resides?
No. If you import these terms where they do not exist you can cause confusion.
(Cavan): Surely, so far as transport for primary schools is concerned, there is a catchment area or the equivalent of it?
There is not.
(Cavan): Does the Parliamentary Secretary agree that while a child may get transport to one primary school he will not get transport to another? Surely that is a catchment area?
Not at all. The regulations for transport to primary schools are drawn up on age and distance considerations. The Deputy——
(Cavan): That produces a catchment.
No, it does not. A catchment area as such is something which I think Deputy FitzGerald would consider for definition involves defining a specific, discernible area. That has not been done nor is there any intention of it being done in the case of primary schools.
(Interruptions.)
Is it not a fact that free transport will only be available to bring the pupil to the nearest national or secondary school?
That is different from saying there are catchment areas.
But is it a fact or not? Is it a fact that free transport is only available to the nearest national or secondary school?
Quite so.
In any instance have the Department sanctioned a deviation from this?
There are occasions but that does not arise in this question.
I am calling Question No. 25.