asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to reports from a Dublin Corporation school attendance officer that many young people are roaming the streets because they cannot obtain admission to schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Admission to Schools.
21.
I have seen the report in question dated 23rd June, 1975, relating to the Finglas area and note that it includes the following paragraph:
The Committee appreciates the difficulties confronting the Department of Education in the provision of schools in these fast developing areas, but feels that by utilising the existing schools in the older city areas and providing transport for the children, while by no means being the perfect solution, would help in some way to alleviate the problem.
The position is, however, that free transport to schools outside the area has in fact been provided for about 550 pupils. This arrangement has been in operation since January, 1975, and I am not aware that it is in need of any further expansion.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary give an estimate of the number of children who cannot be placed in their local schools in the coming year?
The report in question relates to Finglas and I have no information to the effect that there are any children in the situation mentioned by the Deputy. We have provided transport for children who cannot be accommodated in the Finglas schools and must travel to the centre of the city. The school attendance committee have indicated that they intend to carry out a census in September to see if there are any children of the type mentioned by the Deputy. If they find such children, they will be reporting to us and we will see what transport arrangements can be made.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say that the report was correct?
I would.