asked the Minister for Education if her Department has made any changes in the interpretation of the regulations regarding provision of free bus services for children attending Church of Ireland national schools; if she will outline her understanding of reasonable cost limits in relation to the provision of these services; if her attention has been drawn to problems for children attending Church of Ireland schools in Dublin, Tipperary and Sligo as a result of the refusal of her Department to sanction transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - School Transport.
36.
My Department have made no changes in the interpretation of the regulations regarding the provision of school transport to children attending Church of Ireland national schools. Cost limits are determined by the combination factors surrounding each case, and no across the board limit is applied having regard to the stated objective of the scheme, which is to provide a basic level of service to those children who would otherwise have difficulty in attending school regularly. The factors taken into account include the number and age-spread of the children involved, the spread of locations, the terrain and the availability of scheduled services.
Discussions are taking place with the Church of Ireland authorities in regard to the schools referred to, and the general question will be reviewed in the light of the points which emerge during these discussions.