asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of grave dissatisfaction among parents and school children regarding the increasing number of cases where smaller school buses are provided or where the number of school buses is reduced in particular school districts with the effect of allowing less children to be taken as fare-paying passengers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - School Transport Service.
67.
I accept that there must be disappointment among the parents of fare-paying children who become displaced from school transport services. However, the school transport scheme is designed to cater for children who are eligible for free transport and the economic deployment of school buses must be arranged by reference to the transport needs of such eligible pupils. Fare-paying children are catered for only to the extent that space is available for them on the vehicle when the eligible children have been accommodated.
Questions Nos. 68 and 69 postponed.