asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that in the year 1925 Lisheencreagh National School was closed as a result of an undertaking to provide free transport facilities for the pupils attending that school to Ballydehob No. 1 National School; if in pursuance of that undertaking a contract was entered into providing for motor transport at £90 per annum; if consequent on increased taxation (from £28 to £70 per annum) the contractor sought to annul the contract but was induced to continue same on the representation by the manager and inspector that increased remuneration would be given; if notwithstanding the representation made no such increased remuneration was given the contractor for one and a half years and if it is proposed to carry into effect the representation made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport for School Children.
In substitution for the Lisheencreagh National School, which ceased operation, a grant of £90 per annum was allowed, with the sanction of the Minister for Finance, towards the cost of the conveyance of the children, from the district served by that school, to and from the Ballydehob (2) National School from the 16th November, 1925. The grant was payable to the manager of the latter school, and, in accordance with the conditions for the payment of the grant in such cases, the van was provided and all other arrangements were made by the manager and the local parties.
The taxation on the vehicle was increased, as stated in the question, from 1st July, 1929. The inspectors of my Department who were serving in the area of the school at the time state that they made no representations that increased remuneration would be given.
From the information at my disposal the service was continued by arrangement between the manager of the Ballydehob (2) National School, and the contractor. The manager made application for an increase in the grant towards the annual cost of the service in view of the additional taxation.
The general question of the taxation of commercial motor vehicles conveying children to school, such as that used in this case, has been the subject of inter-departmental correspondence, and, as from the 1st January, 1931, the increased taxation has not been applied to the vehicle on condition that it is not used for the carriage of passengers for hire other than the children when being conveyed to and from school.
The application of the manager for increase in the grant in respect of the service for the period antecedent to the 1st January, 1931, during which the higher taxation was paid, viz, from the 1st July, 1929, to the 31st December, 1930, is under consideration, and my Department is in communication with the manager on the subject.