asked the Minister for Education the reason for the delay in refunding school transport fees to a person (details supplied) in County Galway.
Written Answers. - School Transport.
649.
A cheque for £50, the appropriate amount repayable in this case, was issued by CIE on the 10 June 1983. My Department have been advised by CIE that the delay resulted from the volume of applications for refunds which were received at the same time as applications for transport were being processed.
650.
asked the Minister for Education if she will give details of school transport arrangements for pupils in the Moycullen area, County Galway, who attend post-primary schools in Galway city; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Moycullen is in the Spiddal/Inverin catchment area. My Department provide transport for eligible pupils to these centres. In addition, two large buses have been operating as an exceptional arrangement to Galway city for pupils from the Moycullen area and a limited number of spaces have been allocated for them on a scheduled CIE service to Galway. Recent monitoring of the situation has shown that the existing provision of facilities to the Galway city centre is adequate.
651.
asked the Minister for Education if there are any changes envisaged in the school transport arrangements for the children of medical cardholders availing themselves of catchment boundary facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
No changes are envisaged at present in the school transport arrangements for children of medical card holders who avail of catchment boundary facilities. However, the general arrangements for the operation of the school transport scheme are being reviewed at present. I cannot anticipate the outcome of this review.
652.
asked the Minister for Education if she will give details of the new arrangements for the payment of the school transport charges.
Post-primary school authorities were advised in April 1983 that school transport contributions in respect of the September to Christmas term 1983 could be paid in two moieties. At least 50 per cent of the contribution due was to be paid as a booking deposit before 16 June 1983 and the balance was to be paid before 7 September, 1983.
As a result of representations on the matter, CIE, who administer school transport on behalf of the Department, have been authorised to accept a booking deposit of a minimum of £5 with each completed application form where the medical card concession does not apply. The appropriate balance will remain to be paid in good time before the re-opening of the schools in September, to enable valid tickets to be issued by that time.