asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure the continuation of a school transport service (details supplied) in County Wexford in view of the commitment her Department made when a local primary school was being closed to maintain transport services.
Written Answers. - County Wexford School Transport.
131.
The school transport service in question provided for a national school which closed in 1975 due to lack of numbers. Accordingly, transport services to the nearest open national school were provided in accordance with the normal terms of the Department's school transport scheme. The maintenance of this service, as with services throughout the country, is subject to a requirement as to reasonable cost.
Since there are now only four eligible children using the service, and since the cost of maintaining the service would be excessive, it is not open to me to allow its continuance. Preliminary notice of terminination was given on 7 December last to the school authorities. Service will not be given beyond the end of the Easter school term, 1989. Grants towards the cost of private transport arrangements will be made available to the children in question.