asked the Minister for Education why a 52-seater bus is still in operation to transport children from the Tullykyne School area to Moycullen national school after more than 12 months in view of the fact that there is already a cut-back in school transport services; if the expense of this service could be better spent elsewhere; and, if not, why.
Written Answers. - School Transport.
99.
There has been no cut-back in the operation of the school transport services. Due to the fact that the large bus in question is also engaged in post-primary transport, there would be no cost saving involved by substituting an existing or new contractor's smaller vehicle for the proposed service from Tullykyne to Moycullen.
100.
asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the unrest that exists in areas of south Galway and north Clare due to the removal of the Clarinbridge-Gort school bus service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The service which previously operated from Clarinbridge to Gort, with a spur to Ballinabuckey, was encroaching seriously into the Oranmore catchment area and had to be adjusted to operate from Kilcolgan. Students from south Galway may continue to avail themselves of the catchment boundary concession in the school transport scheme subject to the usual conditions. I am not aware that any students from north Clare are affected by the adjustment of the route of the service in question.
101.
asked the Minister for Education the reason school transport has not been provided nearer to the home of children (details supplied) in County Kerry who have to walk over 1½ miles through difficult mountain terrain to Kate Kearney's cottage to meet the school bus, in view of the fact that transport has been provided practically to the homes of other children at Droumreague, Firies, Killarney, County Kerry, and who had to walk only a half mile to meet the bus at Firies Cross.
The children referred to by the Deputy are eligible for free transport to Cullina national school. Transport is available to them from a point 1.35 miles from their home. Having regard to the condition and nature of the roadway this is the most satisfactory service that can be provided.