asked the Minister for Education whether, with a view to alleviating the hardship imposed on many parents in outlying districts whose children must travel to city schools, he will make arrangements with C.I.E. for the issue of free travel vouchers in respect of such children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Free School Transport.
Special transport schemes have been in operation for some time under which children from the Ballyfermot and Finglas areas are being conveyed by buses to schools in the city pending the completion of the new schools which are being provided in those areas.
These bus services are being subsidised from State funds with the result that each child is required to pay only two pence per day, that is, a penny in respect of each journey.
I regret that it would not be feasible to make arrangements for the issue of completely free travel vouchers in respect of these children.
Representations have been made to my Department for the establishment of a transport service on similar lines for children who have recently moved into the new housing area at Walkinstown. I am having the matter investigated at present with a view to ascertaining whether it will be possible to make similar arrangements for these children.
Would the Minister accept my assurance that similar arrangements are necessary?