Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Apr 1997

Vol. 478 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Liam Aylward

Question:

129 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education if she will have a review of the school catchment area in south Kilkenny carried out without delay in view of the fact that 66 students currently avail of privately hired transport into the Waterford post-primary centre and in view of the fact that the N9 is not in the Waterford catchment area and where, from an operational point of view, Bus Éireann would have no difficulty in providing public transport if the catchment area could be extended. [10471/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The position generally is that for the purposes of the post-primary education transport scheme the country has been divided into catchment areas each of which has its own post-primary centre. Recognised post-primary pupils who live at least three miles from the post-primary centre of the catchment area in which they reside are eligible for transport to that centre. Eligible pupils who attend school at a centre other than that which caters for the catchment area in which they live may be allowed the concession of transport from the catchment boundary of the centre attended, provided there is room for them on a bus serving that centre. They are responsible for getting to the catchment boundary.

The actual definition of catchment areas is determined on educational rather than transport grounds. If it can be shown to the satisfaction of the Department's planning section that there is a need to review existing catchment boundaries on educational grounds, such a review would be considered.However, the alteration of boundaries would only take place after consultation with all interested parties, including the relevant school authorities and the Transport Liaison Officer. Any amendments to catchment boundaries would have a knock-on effect on transport services which operate in accordance with those boundaries.

I understand that there are a number of catchment areas in south Kilkenny, from which pupils travel to Waterford city. The Deputy might confirm the particular area he has in mind so that the matter can be considered further by my Department.

Liam Aylward

Question:

130 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education if she will make finance available for the provision of one large school bus to transport a number of children from Mullinavat and surrounding areas in south Kilkenny to the secondary schools in New Ross in view of the fact that they are currently being transported by mini-buses; if her attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by their parents that the children are in New Ross at 8.00 a.m., one hour before schools officially open and are not even brought directly to the school and that the same system operates in the evening; and if he will have a review of the school transport to these schools carried out at the earliest possible date. [10472/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Post-primary pupils who wish to attend school outside of their catchment area may be allowed transport only from within the catchment boundary of the centre being attended, subject to there being space accommodation available on the service and provided that no additional State cost is incurred.

The pupils to whom the Deputy is referring live outside the New Ross catchment area and are, therefore, entitled to catchment boundary transport only, under the terms of the school transport scheme. As such they must fit in with existing transport arrangements subject to the above conditions.

To provide additional transport for these pupils as requested by the Deputy would constitute an encroachment into another catchment area, and would be in breach of the terms of the scheme.

Accordingly, the existing arrangements are the most that can be provided in this case.