asked the Minister for Education why school transport has been withdrawn from a pupil (name supplied) who is attending Celbridge School, County Kildare.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Transport Service.
7.
My information is that transport was not withdrawn from the child in question. I understand that the parents moved house and that transport has now been provided from their new house.
8.
asked the Minister for Education why school transport has not been provided for children from the Saggart area, County Dublin, attending Tallaght community school.
There are adequate post-primary schools in Clondalkin, the nearest post-primary centre to the Saggart area and, in accordance with the terms of the free transport scheme, transport on CIE public services is provided to Clondalkin for eligible Saggart pupils.
Such pupils who wish to attend Tallaght community school are allowed the concession of free school transport on the public services from the Embankment, which is the pickup point nearest to the Tallaght catchment boundary. This is the most which can be allowed under the terms of the free transport scheme.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that to walk from Saggart village to the Embankment involves a couple of miles? Surely he does not expect children to walk that distance in bad weather. I appeal to him to reconsider his decision in the matter and allow this free transport.
I understand that the children in the Saggart area already have adequate transport arrangements to schools in their nearest centre which is Clondalkin, and under the regulations all that can be allowed to them in going to a centre other than their nearest centre is a catchment boundary service.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that on a number of occasions these people are not able to get to school on account of bad weather? I again appeal to him to reconsider his decision.
I can assure the Deputy that children in this area are getting services which children are getting everywhere in the country.