asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is yet in a position to reply to my letter of the 8th April last on the subject of bus fares for school children in Cork; and if, in view of his statement on the 31st March (Volume 114, No. 14) that it was not the intention to charge any additional fares where children are concerned, he will explain why, in fact, additional fares are in operation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Children's Bus Fares.
I wrote to the Deputy on 3rd May informing him that this matter was receiving attention and that a further reply would be sent to him.
The question is still under consideration by the company in the light of their practice in other city services, and they have advised me that they hope to complete their examination of the matter shortly. I will advise the Deputy of the position when the company's investigation has been completed.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the Minister, in reply to a supplementary question by me, said that it was not the intention of Córas Iompair Éireann to increase the fares to children and since then the increased fares have been put in operation? Surely, since I sent my letter on the 8th April, it is time I got an answer to it? Since I sent the letter I have got two such letters as the Parliamentary Secretary quoted.
I understand that the difficulty in this case is that the practice in Cork was different from the practice in Dublin and in smaller towns, arising from the amalgamation of previous transport companies, which companies had different fares in operation. They are now endeavouring to get a uniform practice which would apply to Cork as well as to the other cities.
The only difference between Cork and elsewhere is that there is a shorter distance given for the money paid in Cork.