asked the Minister for Education if she will establish committees, representative of school authorities, within each catchment area in order to manage the school transport system; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
253.
Written Answers. - School Transport.
252.
asked the Minister for Education if recent newspaper reports to the effect that she intends to privatise the school transport system are accurate; and if she will outline the intentions, if any, she has in this regard, including plans for any pilot schemes under consideration; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 253 together.
The question of how best to arrange for the provision of a school transport service is kept continually under review. No decision has been taken with regard to any restructuring of the school transport scheme or on the introduction of any pilot projects in this connection.
254.
asked the Minister for Education in considering the future of the school transport system, if she has consulted any of the following bodies involved in the secondary school system, the Secretariat of Secondary Schools, the Congress of Catholic Secondary Schools Parents' Association, the National Federation of Christian Brothers schools parents' councils; if consultation had not taken place the plans, if any, she has for it; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Consultations have not taken place with the parties mentioned. However, any views such bodies may wish to make known in this regard will be borne in mind in the ongoing review of the school transport system.