Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 2

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

410 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if she has received further submissions regarding free school transport to Scoil Mhuire, Clane, County Kildare, for students from Ardclough, Straffan, County Kildare, in view of the existence of an existing service which could link up with the Clane service; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that children in this area cannot gain admission to girls post primary school in Celbridge, County Kildare; her views on whether places are available in Clane and whether transport for Clane is within 1.5 miles of the area in question; if she will consider the representations of the parents in this instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The children of the general area in question are eligible for transport to either Celbridge or Naas Post-primary Centres.

My Department is not aware of a scarcity of places in the Celbridge catchment area, but if the Deputy would provide details, I will have the matter investigated.

However, some parents from the locality wish to send their children to Clane Post-Primary Centre. 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 a point within the catchment boundary of the school attended. 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.

The Deputy's request for an extension to an existing service in order to link up with the Clane service cannot be allowed because it would be an encroachment into the neighbouring catchment area.

My Department is satisfied that places are available in Clane. I have also been informed that the pick-up point for transport to Clane is 2.9 miles from Ardclough.