andMr. P. Browne asked the Minister for Education if he will consider reducing the distance governing the eligibility for free transport to primary and post-primary schools.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Transport System.
36.
I am satisfied that the qualifying minimum distance laid down in the free transport schemes, which were fixed with due regard to the relative ages of the children concerned, are generally fair and reasonable. I am aware, however, that there may be a number of primary school children who though residing at somewhat longer distances from school are not entitled to free transport because a minimum of ten eligible children, as required under the existing provisions to warrant a transport service, is not available in the locality. In order to meet this difficulty I have decided to relax the conditions of the primary free transport scheme as follows.
With effect from the school-year 1972-73 a transport service to the nearest suitable school may be provided in the following cases:
(1) Where there are not less than seven eligible children available for conveyance in a locality the majority of whom reside three miles or more from the school;
(2) Where there are five children in a locality residing not less than three miles from the school;
(3) Where there are four children in a locality residing not less than four miles from the school;
(4) Where there are three children in a locality residing not less than five miles from the school.
I have also decided to make very substantial reductions in the fares payable in respect of both primary and post-primary children who are ineligible for free transport under the age and distance regulations but who may avail themselves of spare capacity in special school transport services. For example, for two primary children of the same family the fare payable will reduce from £5.88 to £2.00 and for two post-primary children of the same family the fare will reduce from £8.00 to £2.80. The new lower rates of fares will significantly reduce the cost to the parents of fare-paying children. They will come into effect from the commencement of the next school year.
Does this apply to post-primary children too and do all the cases who have been refused in the past have to re-apply?
It applies to both primary and post-primary but it will in most cases apply to primary children. These new provisions will come into effect from the beginning of the next school year so that any cases which were refused under the existing regulations will now be reviewed in the light of these new provisions for the next school year.
Without further applications?
Without re-application, but it would be desirable to have the application made.
While I compliment my colleague from Waterford on the anxiety he is showing, I wish to thank the Parliamentary Secretary for his liberality in the matter of free school transport. A very liberal attitude is needed in this respect especially in relation to children who have long distances to travel. I would also mention those who are marginally inside the minimum distance. They should be facilitated so that they will be able to get to school at a fee and the system should be geared so that as many children as possible will be picked up.
Undoubtedly that is what is intended. I should like to make it clear that on all occasions when this matter has been raised in the House the cost factor became very significant. We have had an examination during a long period into this matter and we are satisfied that these facilities will not add considerably to the cost of the transport scheme.