asked the Minister for Education why a transport service for children from the Tulla catchment area attending Scarriff post-primary school does not include Glandree Cross, County Clare.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - School Transport Service.
29.
The special transport service to Scarriff which operates from this area cannot be extended to Glandree Cross because such an extension would encroach on the catchment area of the Tulla post-primary centre.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the two schools vary considerably, that the subjects those children need are provided in Scarriff post-primary school and that they are not available in the Tulla convent school? There has already been a precedent in Tulla where on another bus route a Tulla boy was given travel facilities to Scarriff to avail of the technical education which he, his family and his teachers decided was his correct training.
The concession the Deputy referred to is on a scheduled service and was given some time ago when it was considered that the subjects available in Tulla were insufficient as far as technical subjects were concerned. As the Deputy is probably aware, there have been fairly significant improvements in the range of choice of subjects available in Tulla since that date. If the Deputy wishes, I can give him a list of the subjects that are now available at junior and senior cycle in Tulla. The general proposition in the operation of a scheme like this is that you do not have encroachment of services from one school catchment into another. That must be maintained.
I would like to remind the Parliamentary Secretary that the bus service to Scarriff secondary school goes from the little village of Feakle and a bus service to Tulla also goes from Feakle. Those children live only three miles from Feakle. Their parents and the teachers from the Tulla area would be very pleased if they got the facilities they think they should get in Scarriff. Could the Parliamentary Secretary not extend it for approximately eight children a mere three miles from Feakle to Glandree Cross?
The children can come to Feakle and get the bus there if they wish. The Deputy is looking for an extension of this service beyond Feakle into the Tulla catchment. That is a different matter and would not be allowable in normal circumstances nor could it be under the scheme.
I believe the catchment would be for a school which could provide services equal to other services. There is a similar situation in Killaloe where the children are driven to Newport in County Tipperary.
I am afraid this is entering into the realm of argument.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider allowing the bus to go just three miles from Feakle to Glandree Cross for those children?
I have already told the Deputy that as a result of recent improvements it is the opinion of the Department of Education that the standard of the choice of subjects available in Tulla is quite adequate. I offered to give the Deputy the information. I will give it to him in the House or I can give it to him afterwards if necessary. If the Deputy wishes to suggest that the range of subjects available in Tulla is insufficient, I suggest that he give this information because it is not my information.
30.
asked the Minister for Education if, in view of dissatisfaction in the Doneraile area, County Cork regarding school transport, he will arrange for a representative of his Department to meet the Doneraile parents to discuss the position.
Certain school transport matters in the Doneraile area have been raised with the Department and these are at present being investigated. Representatives of the parents concerned met officers of the Department on 7th September, and when the present inquiries are completed, a further meeting can be arranged, if desired, by the parent representatives.
31.
asked the Minister for Education the reason for the large number of changes and cut-backs in school transport throughout the country.
I do not accept that there have been large numbers of changes and cut-backs in school transport. The number of children being carried and the cost of transport are, in fact, higher in 1976 than they were in 1975 or in any previous year.