Vol. 376 No. 9
asked the Minister for Education if she proposes to apply the same criteria for pupil/teacher ratio and school transport as apply at present to scoileanna lán-Gaelacha, to all other primary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
273.
asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact some primary schools are depleted in numbers due to the transport scheme that operates in scoileanna lán-Gaelacha; and if she will make a statement regarding the fact that the normal regulation of attending one's nearest primary school is waived in respect of attendance at scoileanna lán-Gaelacha.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together.
I have no proposals to extend the staffing concession for all-Irish national schools to all national schools.
Eligibility for school transport is determined by reference to the nearest suitable school. For those who wish to attend an all-Irish school, the nearest all-Irish school is regarded as being the nearest suitable school. I do not propose to change this arrangement.
I have seen no evidence that any schools have been adversely affected by the operation of the school transport scheme in relation to all-Irish schools.
