With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together.
The matter of the educational facilities to be provided for the pupils of Ballinillane national school, Ballyhar, has been thoroughly investigated. Having given the fullest consideration to all the facts disclosed by the investigation, I am satisfied that the erection of a new two-teacher school at Ballinillane should not be proceeded with and that the educational interests of the children would be best served by conveying them to an enlarged school at Firies in the same parish.
As all transport services are allocated as a result of public tenders, I do not feel that I should endeavour to anticipate what the lowest tender in this case might be.
The transport service would be arranged so that the children would be collected at points convenient to their homes. In view of this I cannot see that any child should be away from home for the length of time mentioned by the Deputy. It should be apparent that the time it would take the transport to cover the journey to Firies would be far less than that taken by the majority of the children walking to Ballinillane school.
If a special afternoon service for children under 7 years is not found to be feasible, they would remain in the school premises under supervision, until the older children were released. This would be in keeping with the present practice where in the majority of instances the younger children remain in school in order to be accompanied home by the older children.
All licences under the terms of the Road Traffic (Public Service Vehicles) Regulations 1963, for the carriage of children for reward to and from school are issued by the Garda Síochána after inspection of the vehicles in regard to their suitability.
Persons who operate school transport services are required to insure the children in an unlimited amount. There is, therefore, no liability on the school manager in this regard.
29.
