Vol. 463 No. 3
231 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Education whether provision can be made for school transport for a person (details supplied) in County Cork from his place of residence to school in view of the fact that no place in any of the adjacent schools could be found for this student and accordingly he had no option but to either attend a school outside his catchment area or drop out of education altogether. [6124/96]
The pupil in question resides in a catchment area where 34 post-primary schools are located. I understand that a number of these schools could have accommodated the pupil.
Under the terms of the school transport scheme, this student is ineligible for school transport to another post-primary centre outside of their own catchment area. Only recognised post-primary pupils who live at least three miles from the post-primary centre of the catchment area in which they reside, are eligible for transport to that centre.
232 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education if she provides a subsidy for transport to all Gael-Scoileanna; her views on the impact which this is having on enrolment in adjoining national schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6136/96]
It is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice. For pupils who wish to obtain their education entirely through Irish, eligibility for school transport is determined by reference to the nearest all-Irish school.
Where transport cannot be provided, and the pupil resides at least three miles from the school, a remote area grant may be paid towards the cost of private transport arrangements.
The grant applies to all eligible pupils who reside outside of the range of school transport, and does not relate specifically to all-Irish schools. I am satisfied that this arrangement does not have an adverse impact on enrolment to other national schools.
