Vol. 557 No. 3
35 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to adopt a proposal to establish a common catchment area in order that children (details supplied) can be given their legal and constitutional entitlement to transport to school; and the steps taken by him or his Department to resolve this issue since the proposal for a common catchment area was first made. [21686/02]
The pupils in question attend post-primary school in a catchment area other than that in which they reside and accordingly are entitled to catchment boundary transport only. This is subject to there being spare accommodation available on the service and provided that no additional State cost is incurred. They are fully eligible for transport to the schools in their own area.
The school transport and planning sections of my Department are examining the implications of the Deputy's proposal for a common catchment area and I have asked that the matter be concluded as soon as possible and the Deputy informed of the outcome.
