Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 1

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Brendan Howlin

Question:

214 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will ensure that a local circular bus route is instituted to transport school children from the Knocklyon area, Dublin 16 to surrounding schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1135/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Public Enterprise (Mr. Jacob)

The Road Transport Act, 1932, as amended, is the legislative basis for the licensing of scheduled bus services in this country. This legislation governs the provision of passenger services, other than those provided by Bus Éireann and Bus Átha Cliath.

In considering an application for a licence under the Act, my Department is required to have regard to whether the proposed service is "required in the public interest having regard to the passenger road services and other forms of passenger transport available to the public on or in the neighbourhood of the proposed service".

In 1997, my Department received a licence application from a bus operator to transport school children from the Knocklyon area of Dublin to schools in the locality. This application was refused in view of the level of services already provided by Dublin Bus in the area. The operator has since made further submissions to my Department and these are currently under consideration.