Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 1995

Vol. 457 No. 7

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Declan Bree

Question:

214 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a number of children attending St. Michael's national school, Glenfarne, County Leitrim, are collected by the school transport service each day and dropped at a car park adjacent to the old Rainbow ballroom, Glenfarne; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the children are obliged to remain in the car park unsupervised for a period of 20 to 30 minutes before they are again collected by the school transport service and transported to St. Michael's school; if her Department will accept responsibility for the safety of the children for the period when the children are left alone, unsupervised and without shelter in the car park; the proposals, if any, she has to improve this service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16106/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach):

I am aware there are two feeder services involved in the school transport service to Glenfarne national school. These are operated by a contractor's minibus from both sides of the mountain to the old Rainbow ballroom, as the roads are too narrow for a large bus. These services facilitate the children, some of whom live as close as 0.3 miles to the Rainbow ballroom. The shorter feeder trip of 1.1 miles is operated first every morning and evening, as the waiting time would be greater if the longer trip of 1.4 miles were operated first.

My Department cannot, of course, accept responsibility for the safety of the children for the period in question.

There is no viable alternative arrangement within the existing network of vehicles, and because of the narrow roads in question. Other pupils would be inconvenienced by any alteration to the present system and the standard of service for the children in question would deteriorate.