Vol. 482 No. 3
367 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the situation in County Laois where no school transport exists from Ballacolla village and surrounding areas to St. Fergal's second level school, Rathdowney; if he will have investigations made into the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17732/97]
Pupils from the Ballacolla area reside in the Ballinakill catchment area and are eligible for transport to the post-primary school in their own area. Those pupils from the Ballacolla area who reside in the Ballinakill catchment area and attend St. Fergal's, are eligible for catchment boundary transport to Rathdowney.
A special arrangement was made in 1991, whereby existing pupils from the Ballacolla area were allowed full transport to Rathdowney. This involved a temporary revision of the catchment boundary with the agreement of my Department and the schools involved. However, this applied for a nominated list of 23 pupils only, and excluded younger members of the families concerned.
This arrangement ceased at the end of the 1995-96 school year, when the last of these pupils completed their post-primary education at Rathdowney. I regret, therefore, that it is not possible to reintroduce this arrangement, as it would constitute an encroachment into another post-primary catchment area.
368 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to resolve a school transport problem (details supplied) in County Mayo following his promise of a review of the situation on 15 October 1997. [17795/97]
The situation referred to by the Deputy is currently being examined as a result of new facts recently brought to my attention.
Further information has been sought in this regard, and as soon as the situation has been fully examined, the position on the case will be conveyed to the Deputy.
