asked the Minister for Education why school transport has not been granted to the children of a person, name supplied, in County Offaly as they are 2.1 miles from Clonmacnoise national school which they attend.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Written Answers. - School Transport Service.
56.
As the children in question reside less than two miles from the school, they are not eligible for free transport under the terms of the free transport scheme.
57.
asked the Minister for Education if he will arrange for the provision of free transport to pupils from the Renmore/Mervue area, Galway who are attending secondary schools in Galway city until such time as a secondary school is provided to meet the needs of these areas.
As the Deputy is aware, secondary school pupils must live three miles or more from the nearest secondary school centre at which free education is available in order to be eligible for free transport.
Pupils in the suburbs in question do not fulfil this condition. Free transport facilities cannot, therefore, be given to them.
58.
asked the Minister for Education whether it is he, the school authorities, the local school manager or the local branch of the teachers' organisation who decide the school to which pupils should be given transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Such decisions are made by the Department of Education with the approval of the Department of Finance in so far as the cost of the scheme or any proposed amendments of it are concerned. In the case of primary schools, CIE who are the agent of the Department of Education in the operation of the free transport scheme, have been delegated authority to give transport to a child to a particular school, if the application is covered by the general regulations issued by the Department. Cases not so covered are submitted to the Department for decision.
In the post-primary context, the eligibility for free transport is determined by transport liaison officers within the regulations laid down by the Department of Education. CIE provide free transport for post-primary pupils on the basis of requisitions furnished by the TLOs. Cases not covered by the general regulations are submitted to the Department for decision.
59.
asked the Minister for Education if he will sanction school transport for a child, name supplied, in County Meath to the school for which she is eligible; and, if not, if he will sanction transport for the child to one of two other schools, names supplied.
It is not practicable to provide transport for this child to the nearest school as she resides remote from the route of the service. The Department are prepared to allow transport, on a fare-paying basis, to the next nearest school.