asked the Minister for Education when and why the school bus service on the Poulmucka route to Rathkeevan national school, Clonmel, County Tipperary, was withdrawn; and if, in view of the hardship caused to the children concerned, he will have it restored.
Written Answers. - County Tipperary School Transport.
194.
As the number of eligible children entitled to free transport to Rathkeevan national school fell below the required minimum, the Department had no option but to withdraw this service at Easter 1978. There is not a sufficient number of such eligible children in the locality concerned at present to warrant the restoration of the service.
195.
asked the Minister for Education when and why the school bus service was withdrawn from a route serving Grange national school, Clonmel, County Tipperary; and if he will have full service restored on all routes to this school without delay.
The service to Grange national school was withdrawn at Easter 1978 because the number of eligible children availing themselves of the service for the two consecutive terms ended Easter 1978 had fallen below the minimum number required to maintain the service. It is understood that the same position obtains during the current school term. The service may be restored only from a date from which the relevant conditions are fulfilled. For this purpose a minimum of ten eligible children availing themselves of the service on a regular basis will be required.
196.
asked the Minister for Education if he will take steps to guarantee a full and adequate school bus service to Lisronagh national school, Clonmel, County Tipperary.
A free school transport service may be continued to any school only in accordance with the relevant regulations.
If the number of eligible children in the case of Lisronagh national school is below the required minimum for two consecutive terms in the period ending Summer 1978 it will be necessary to discontinue the service after the closing of the school for the summer holidays.
197.
asked the Minister for Education the routes from which school buses have been withdrawn or on which services have been curtailed in South Tipperary since 5 July 1977; and the names of the schools concerned in each case, together with the reasons.
Services were withdrawn in the following cases in South Tipperary since 5 July 1977: (1) the service to Grange national school operating from the Kilnamuck, Knockeen, Rathogally, Burgessland and Rathwater areas; (2) the service to Rathkeevan national school operating from the Poulnamucka, Graigue and Donegal areas; (3) the service to Tipperary Parochial Church of Ireland national school which operated from Annacarty.
The service was withdrawn in each case because the numbers of eligible children being conveyed fell below the minimum required for retention of the service.