Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Apr 1991

Vol. 407 No. 3

Written Answers. - Kilgarvan (County Kerry) School Transport.

Michael Moynihan

Question:

214 Mr. Moynihan asked the Minister for Education if she will give an assurance to the parents of children attending Kilgarvan national school, County Kerry from the townland of Mangestak, Kilgarvan that they will have school transport for the 1991-92 school year and subsequent years as it is alleged that when the local school at Drinagh was closed a guarantee was given by her Department at the time that school transport would be provided for families affected by the Drinagh school closing.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

While primary school children in the district of Drinagh closed school are eligible for free transport to Kilgarvan, the school of amalgamation, an average of seven eligible children are required in order to maintain the service in question.

It would not be open to my Department to retain this service beyond the end of the summer school term, 1991 as the number of elegible children offering for transport is due to drop to two at the end of that term.

Consideration will be given to providing assistance towards alternative transport arrangements for the remaining children in question.