(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Education if he will provide transport for pupils (details supplied) in County Cavan to Bawnboy vocational school, as they are within its catchment area; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Transport.
3.
These children may have free transport to Bawnboy vocational school from the nearest pickup point on the route of the existing service.
(Cavan-Monaghan): How far is the nearest pickup point from these children's home?
It is 2.6 miles from the residence of the children in question.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the transport available already?
That transport would be available to those children if they were attending Bawnboy vocational school.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is it available to these children at present?
It is available if they are disposed to using it.
(Cavan-Monaghan): May they avail of it at any time?
They may avail of it at present if they are disposed to using it.
We must move on to the next question.
(Cavan-Monaghan): You were very generous on the last question, Sir. Can the Minister say why the transport is not available to these children at present?
The Deputy is misinterpreting what I am saying. I have said that the transport is available if the children in question are disposed to using it. I do not know why they are not using it.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is there any hope of routing the transport nearer to the children's home than a distance of 2.6 miles?
No. That information has been conveyed to them already. They are getting a service that is comparable with the best services available to other children attending post-primary schools.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Therefore, I may take it that so far as the Department or the regulations are concerned, there is nothing to prevent the children switching from Carrigallen school to Bawnboy school?
That is correct.
4.
asked the Minister for Education, further to his reply of 13 November 1978 promising an investigation into the school transport arrangements at Edeninfagh national school, County Donegal, if he will make a statement on the matter, as a strike has since developed.
5.
asked the Minister for Education if he will take steps to meet the school transport needs of the children attending Edeninfagh national school, County Donegal, particularly in view of the fact that there is a school strike in existence for the last two weeks.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
Investigations into this matter are not yet completed. I will let the Deputy know the outcome as soon as possible.
Can the Minister say whether the investigations taking place will embrace not only the immediate cause of the unfortunate strike which is resulting in children in that area not attending school but will take into account also and investigate the unsatisfactory nature of the transport being provided even for those who have not had cause to go on strike but who have joined the strike in recent times? In other words, apart from the immediate difficulty that led to the strike is it possible to have the overall situation investigated?
This is a long question.
The Deputy is not unaware that an investigation is taking place at the moment. It arose from the Deputy's concern and also from the concern of other public representatives in respect of transport as affecting Edeninfagh national school. I could not give any guarantee that the investigation would comprehend all the complexities of the transport problem in and around that area but the investigation in respect of the specific area is taking place and I should hope to have the result this week.
Assuming that the report will be to hand soon, may we hope for an early decision from the Minister that may solve the whole problem?
I assure the Deputy that so far as I am concerned I am always anxious that decisions in respect of transport and especially those decisions that might be favourable should be reached with all speed. I am hoping to have the result of the investigations in question by this weekend and if it is favourable the transport will be restored but if the result is not favourable we shall have to deal with the recommendations as conveyed to me by the two officers who are at present carrying out the investigation.