asked the Minister for Education the reason school transport facilities have been withdrawn from Blackies Lane, Slieve Rue, Ballymore Eustace and Naas, County Kildare on the basis that the lane is in poor condition when in fact the road is in far better condition than it has been for the past 20 years; if free school transport operates on roads in a worse condition in County Kildare; if the private bus operator who provided the service on contract from CIE is prepared to restore the service, given the reasonable condition of road surfaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - School Transport.
219.
The stretch of road in question was inspected by Bus Éireann on a number of occasions. The road was found to be totally unsuitable for the operation of the school transport vehicle involved. The service was, accordingly, cut back to its present route.
It would not be open to my Department to permit the operation of any service under the school transport scheme on roads which Bus Éireann deem to be unsuitable.
The willingness or otherwise of the service contractor to operate the service would not be a deciding factor in such cases.