asked the Minister for Education if there is free transport for the mentally handicapped who are getting day-time training or education at suitable institutions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Transport Service.
120.
Special transport services are sanctioned by my Department to all of the schools catering for mentally handicapped children at which day pupils are in attendance. In every case where transport is warranted it is provided having regard to the circumstances of each particular case.
In regard to non-educable persons attending day-centres, health authorities, with the approval of the Minister for Health, make grants towards the costs incurred by organisations providing services. No distinction is made between transport and other costs.
What I want to get clear from some Minister is whether there is a guarantee of free transport for mentally retarded people where they are being educated or cared for if they are not educable. There are people who say they have to pay for the transport of mentally retarded children to day-time institutions.
The Department take into consideration the capitation rates for residential schools. The basis of the maximum grant is about £3 per week per child. What they believe is that where the cost exceeds that figure it would be better to have a child taken into a residential school because the time it would take travelling would be too much for a child of this kind. Therefore the Deputy can take it we are providing free transport for mentally handicapped children to day-schools. If the Deputy has a particular case in mind I will look into it.
It is not a question of it being better to take them into institutions, because the places are not there. There are day-time places but not residential places. That is the whole snag. Even though it may cost a bit more than £3, surely the Minister will accept that there should be free transport for the mentally retarded? There is free transport for all other children now. There is free transport for old age pensioners——
Is the Deputy asking a question?
I am asking the Minister to ensure there is free transport for these people.
It is not correct for the Deputy to say there are no residential places.
The Deputy knows there are not. There is a waiting list a mile long.
The Deputy was present when I answered a question from a Labour Deputy, Deputy Noel Browne, in connection with the progress we have made in relation to the targets set by the Commission on Mental Handicap, and in fact the progress was exceptionally good.
I know that.
We are endeavouring to improve on this.
There is still an enormous backlog.
The backlog will be there until we succeed in clearing it up, but we are making substantial progress.
Does the Minister say there is free transport for all retarded children?
I have already explained what the situation is.
When there are two Ministers involved there is always this difficulty. You are trying to do the right thing but it is not being done.
121.
asked the Minister for Education why he has not approved school transport from Ballycoolan, Stradbally, County Laois, where 23 children are attending Stradbally national school with no transport; whether an application for transport has been with his Department for a long period; and if he will now give his approval so that these children may be provided with the long-awaited transport.
It appears from a report furnished by the Department's divisional inspector that there is a sufficient number of children in the Ballycoolan area to warrant the establishment of a transport service to the Stradbally schools. My Department is in consultation with CIE in that regard and it is expected that the service will be established shortly. Owing to the very large number of applications for free transport to national schools which have been received over the past six months the proper investigation of these applications must necessarily take time.
122.
asked the Minister for Education the average allowance per mile being paid by CIE to private operators of school transport for a minibus.
CIE employs more than 750 minibuses of various types and seating capacities in the operation of special school services. The pattern and scope of employment, nature of roads and terrain are among the many considerations taken into account by CIE in making contracts with individual minibus owners. Such contracts are not related to mileage operated and any figures on the lines sought by the Deputy could only mislead. Apart from that, the effort involved in endeavouring to arrive at an average figure would not be warranted.
123.
asked the Minister for Education if he will expedite a favourable decision on the proposed transport scheme for the conveyance of children to Rathmore boys and Rathmore girls national schools in County Kerry; and if he will state the present position.
A transport service to Rathmore boys' and girls' national schools has now been sanctioned and CIE have been asked to make the necessary arrangements. I understand that the service will be introduced in a week or so.
124.
asked the Minister for Education if he will expedite a favourable decision on the proposed transport scheme for the conveyance of children to Scartaglen national school, County Kerry; and if he will state the present position.
I have sanctioned two transport services to Scartaglen national school, for the north west and south east areas, respectively. CIE have been asked to make the necessary arrangements for their operation.
125.
asked the Minister for Education the present position regarding the proposed transport scheme for the conveyance of children to Hollymount national school, near Rathmore, County Kerry.
The question of sanctioning a transport service to this school was investigated in November, 1968. It was found that there were then only six pupils eligible for transport, three pupils from each of two widely separated districts. Accordingly the provision of a transport service would not be approved.
This case is being re-investigated at present.
According to a report furnished by the Department's inspector in November, 1968, there were then only six children from the Caherbarnagh, Inches districts who would have been eligible for conveyance to Hollymount national school under the school transport regulations. This number was insufficient to warrant the establishment of a separate transport service. It was found possible, however, to accommodate three of the six children in question on the post-primary transport service operating via Hollymount national school.
In view of recent representations in the matter the principal teacher of Hollymount national school was requested on 12th January last to supply particulars of pupils who would be eligible for conveyance on a transport service to the school. When the required information is received the matter will be further considered.
126.
asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the provision of school transport from Marian Terrace, Ballyheigue, to Bouleenshere national school, Ballyheigue, County Kerry.
My Department is investigating the feasibility of providing a transport service for the children concerned to Bouleenshere national school. I hope to be in a position to give a decision in the matter at an early date.
127.
asked the Minister for Education whether he will arrange with CIE to pay part-time CIE school bus drivers at an increased hourly rate, having regard to the fact that the majority of these drivers cannot work in any other employment.
By its very nature school bus driving offers only part-time employment and CIE recruits suitably qualified drivers on this basis. When the drivers accept employment they are fully aware that their duties are part-time only. It is not correct to say that they cannot work in any other employment.
The remuneration of part-time school bus drivers is a matter for private arrangement between CIE and individual drivers. They are not paid on a fixed hourly rate but a weekly payment is negotiated which takes account of all relevant factors including length of journeys travelled and time occupied. This system is working satisfactorily and I do not propose to ask CIE to change it.