asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware that a large number of children who live in the Dublin Corporation housing scheme in the Walkinstown area have to travel to schools in the centre of the city because of the shortage of school accommodation in Walkinstown; and, if so, if he will arrange to have special buses and reduced fares provided for those children as are provided in the case of children travelling from Finglas.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Children's Bus Fares.
Representations were made by local parties last year regarding the need for special facilities in the matter of providing transport to city schools for children living in the Walkinstown area, pending the provision of new schools in that area. It was found on investigation that the number of children involved was not sufficient to warrant the establishment of a special school bus service in the case.
Additional accommodation on a temporary basis was, at that time, made available in the old Crumlin schools for the children from Walkinstown for whom no other convenient school was available.
I am arranging to have the present position examined at an early date with a view to ascertaining whether the provision of special transport facilities for the conveyance of children from the area to city schools is necessary pending the erection of the new proposed Walkinstown schools.
Work has commenced on the building of a new school for boys in the Walkinstown area, and grants have been sanctioned in aid of the erection of new schools for girls and infants in that area.
Is the Minister aware that my recent information about that area is that the schools are completely overcrowded and that quite a large number of children have to travel to various schools in the city? I would be grateful if the matter could be examined as soon as possible.
As I have told the Deputy the position was examined last year and it did not seem to warrant the establishment of a special school bus service but we shall have it examined again.