Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Nov 1994

Vol. 446 No. 6

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Séamus Hughes

Ceist:

193 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to review school transport policy as it presently applies whereby children who use non-Gaeltacht schools but live outside that school catchment area will enjoy the same service as children who live outside the catchment area and who wish to be educated in Gaeltacht schools. [2475/94]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I have no plans at present to review the existing arrangements. The school transport scheme was basically designed to cater for children in rural areas, who, if living a long distance from their nearest school, might have difficulty in attending regularly.

In general, to be eligible for transport under the scheme a pupil must live at least three miles from their appropriate post-primary centre and may be transported to that centre which caters for the catchment area in which they live. Eligible pupils who attend a post-primary centre other than the one which caters for the catchment area in which they live may be allowed the concession of transport from their catchment boundary.

Those who wish to obtain post-primary education entirely through Irish may be given transport to the nearest post-primary centre providing such education, if they live at least three mile from that centre. In either case, pupils must satisfy the conditions of the scheme. A service is established only where there is a minimum of seven eligible pupils living within an area which can be reasonably and economically served by a bus route.

John Ellis

Ceist:

194 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Education if she will provide transport for a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim, who attends the Marist Convent primary school, Carrick-onShannon, County Leitrim, from the point requested by the family. [2476/94]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The child concerned already has free transport on a service to the school. I am advised that the child in question lives 0.8 miles from the current pick-up point. She is, therefore, considered to have a reasonable and adequate standard of service in the context of the general operation of the scheme. The additional cost involved in providing a nearer pick-up point could not be justified.