With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 33 together. The Department are empowered to pay grants towards the cost of the purchase of bicycles in individual cases where the following conditions are meet:—
1. the children are living in isolated areas where the nearest national school is a considerable distance away;
2. it is not possible or else would be too costly to offer alternative transport facilities; and
3. the situation is one in which genuine hardship exists.
No grants were paid during the last financial year. A number of applications for such grants are at present being considered.