asked the Minister for Education why the level of school transport service to Clonkeen National School, County Kerry was reduced in the middle of the school year; if it is the usual practice to make such changes at this time; and the total savings to his Department by the reduction of the level of this service in the 1976-77 school year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Transport Service.
30.
Since Christmas 1976 all children eligible for free transport to Clonkeen National School can be accommodated by the use of one minibus and the Department is not empowered to authorise, after that date, the continued use of an additional bus which would now facilitate concessionary fare-paying pupils only. The net saving in the period from Christmas to summer 1977 will be approximately £320. It is normal practice to make such changes at the end of the school term, i.e. Christmas, Easter and summer. Concessionary tickets are issued on a term basis.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the dangerous nature and condition of roads in this area and that many of the children who were taken on as fare-paying passengers now must traverse a very dangerous national primary road and would he take this into consideration?
I am aware that difficult road conditions exist in many parts of the country. The position is that the Department is authorised to provide buses for free transport only for children who are basically eligible for transport. The situation was that the buses which are now serving that area are able to cater for the basically eligible pupils. That is being done.
Is it the normal practice to reduce the level of school transport service in the middle of the school year?
The Department is not authorised to provide a special service for children who are not basically eligible for transport and if the service to which the Deputy refers had been retained it would be serving only children who are basically ineligible for free transport and that would be in excess of the authorisation which exists in respect of school transport.
Is it the normal practice to curtail the level of transport service to a primary school in the middle of a school year?
I have already indicated in the original reply that it is normal practice to make such changes at the end of the school term, i.e. Christmas, Easter and summer.