I thank the Minister for taking this question. I regret that the matter should have to be brought to the Minister's attention or that an appeal has had to be made to the Minister. The Minister has probably been provided with a prepared reply but I hope she will have an open mind to what I have to say.
There are 71 pupils travelling on the school bus transport service from St. Kieran's comprehensive school in Carraroe to the Lettermore-Lettermullen area of the islands. On Mondays and Fridays the school closes at 3.5 p.m. and the bus does not arrive at the school until 4.15 p.m. — approximately an hour and 20 minutes later and if the bus is delayed it may be even later. The pupils are then transported to the Lettermore-Lettermullen area and the last stop is at Tír an Fhia from where some pupils have to walk a further two miles. A number of them do not get home until 6 p.m. Two years ago the designated school bus was taken off the route and CIE substituted a scheduled service which leaves Galway at 3.15 p.m. and arrives at different times in Carraroe.
The school is closed by the time the bus leaves Galway and this has been done for the convenience of CIE. The pupils spend one hour and 20 minutes hanging around Carraroe — we must remember that the school building closes at 3.45 p.m., the teachers all go home and pupils are left without supervision which makes parents very anxious and they feel they are being treated very badly by the Department. The vocational education committee operates the service for the Department and its chief executive officer, Conor Morris is trying to be of assistance.
The ultimate decision must be made by the Department. It has claimed that a satisfactory service exists but I appeal to the Minister to judge whether she considers it appropriate that on two days per week this should be allowed happen. In winter and wet weather it is cruel to leave the children hanging around and getting home so late from school all because of some administrative arrangement. It would be ideal to go back to the previous position and hire a special school bus to bring the children home in the evening instead of CIE linking it up to a scheduled service.
I appeal to the Minister to consider the position. There are 71 pupils involved. I have attended meetings with the parents who have signed a petition about this. There has been a problem with the service to Lettermore-Lettermullen from the comprehensive school but the most recent problem arose two years ago when the special school bus was taken off to suit the private bus operator. I appeal to the Minister to have an open mind about the matter and to consider instructing CIE to enter into a contract with a local bus owner to collect the children from the school at 3.15 p.m. and have them home at a reasonable hour. She should end the CIE system of linking them into the scheduled service but if the Department or CIE insist on operating this system CIE should be asked to change the time the scheduled bus leaves Galway to 2 p.m.
It is a reasonable case. The parents are upset and frustrated at the lack of concern and reaction from the Department and its refusal to listen to their pleas. I hope the Minister realises that this is quite an issue in the area and that she will look into the case and come up with a satisfactory solution from the parents' point of view.