Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Jun 1999

Vol. 507 No. 2

Written Answers. - School Transport.

John Perry

Question:

267 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason school transport was withdrawn on 15, 16 and 17 February and 4 May 1999 from Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, Curry, County Sligo, in view of the fact that these children had been guaranteed free transport from the outlying amalgamated areas; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the school was not open on 21 and 22 December 1998 and 22 and 23 June 1999; if he will guarantee that this will never happen again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16383/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

To achieve maximum co-ordination of school transport services in relation to opening and closing of primary and post-primary schools, a calendar of school days is drawn up each year by the transport liaison officer in consultation with the schools involved.

Where schools fail to agree a calendar, the transport liaison officer has instruction to draw up a calendar for the area which ensures that there is no duplication of service. All schools are given the opportunity to submit a calendar for the year before timetables are decided. The fact that a service did not operate to Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal on the dates mentioned by the Deputy was in line with the operation of a co-ordinated calendar which was drawn up earlier in the year.

To sanction transport services for days outside the co-ordinated calendar would undermine the co-ordination process and would also involve significant extra costs which would not be justified. In the circumstances I cannot give the guarantee being sought by the Deputy.