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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 2

Written Answers. - Kilcoole (Wicklow) School Bus

Liz McManus

Question:

41 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education if, in view of the serious situation that has arisen for 11 children in Kilcoole, County Wicklow, who cannot get school places locally, she will increase the capacity of the school bus service so that they can travel to school in Wicklow.

The children of the area in question are eligible for transport to schools in the Bray/Greystones catchment area. I am satisfied that there is sufficient accommodation in these schools to provide for these 11 pupils.

However, some parents from the locality wish to send their children to Wicklow post-primary centre outside their catchment area. While they are entitled to make such a choice, they are not eligible for transport to this centre, which is in another catchment area. Consequently, the most they can be offered by my Department is concessionary transport from within the catchment boundary of their chosen school. This may be allowed, provided seats are available on an existing service after all eligible pupils have been accommodated and that no extra cost is incurred, either by way of using an extra or larger bus or re-routing the service. The County Wicklow Transport Liaison Officer has informed my Department that no seats for catchment boundary pupils remain.

As the House is aware I have recently made available the three reports commissioned by the Department on the School Transport Service. The issue of catchment areas has been addressed by the reports. I have invited the interested parties to respond to these reports with particular reference to the proposed Local Education Authorities. I am awaiting their replies.
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