Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 1 Oct 1997

Vol. 480 No. 7

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

113 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education if he will have arrangements made to make finance available urgently for the provision of one large school bus to transport a number of children (details supplied) from the Listerlin and surrounding areas in South Kilkenny to the secondary schools in New Ross, County Wexford who are currently being transported by mini buses; if his attention has been drawn to the concern expressed by their parents that they are in New Ross at 8 a.m., one hour before schools officially open and are not brought directly to the school and that the similar system operates in the evening; and if he will have arrangements made to have a full review of the school transport to these schools carried out at the earliest possible date. [15099/97]

Minister for Education (Mr. Martin)

The position in this case is that the vehicle in question operates a double trip. As a result, the timetable requires some pupils to make an early start in the mornings and to wait for some time in the evenings. This has always been a feature of the school transport scheme and every effort is made to keep waiting times to a minimum.

I am pleased to confirm that since Monday, 22 September, the bus operator has been instructed to bring the students directly to the school premises at Irishtown in New Ross. I am confident that this will help to alleviate the difficulty.

With regard to making finance available to provide one large bus on this route, I regret that this is not open to my Department, as substantial extra cost would be involved.

There are other school transport services operating from the general vicinity of the Listerlin area. I have asked that they be examined as a matter of priority with a view to improving the level of service for all concerned.

The Deputy will be advised of the outcome of this examination as soon as possible.

Liam Aylward

Ceist:

114 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education if he will have arrangements made to have a full review of the school catchment area in South Kilkenny carried out without delay where at present 66 students (details supplied) currently avail of privately hired transport into Waterford post primary centre in view of the fact that the N9 is not in the Waterford catchment area and where, from an operational point of view, Bus Éireann would have no difficulty in providing public transport if the catchment area could be extended. [15100/97]

Minister for Education (Mr. Martin)

I understand that the pupils referred to by the Deputy reside in catchment areas in south Kilkenny, from which they travel to Waterford city and under the present system are not entitled to full transport facilities to the city schools.

Generally, the country is divided into catchment areas, each of which has its own post-primary centre. Catchment boundaries are determined on educational rather than transport grounds. 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. Eligible pupils who attend a school in an outside centre may be allowed the concession of transport from the catchment boundary of the centre attended, subject to certain conditions.

The Planning Section of my Department has commenced an examination of the catchment area boundaries in the south Kilkenny area, adjacent to Waterford city. As soon as this examination is completed, I will contact the Deputy in the matter.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

115 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons (details supplied) in County Wexford who are dependent on unemployment assistance must pay £12 per week for a private bus to transport their three children to the Faythe primary school in view of the fact that, due to overcrowding, they cannot be accommodated in Scoil Mhuire which is the nearest to their home; if he will have arrangements made for a refund of this outlay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15101/97]

Minister for Education (Mr. Martin)

I understand that the nearest school to this family is 0.7 miles distant, and is not overcrowded. I have been informed that there are, in fact, three primary schools within two miles of this family, whereas Faythe national school is 2.2 miles away. None of these three schools has a transport service under the school transport scheme, as pupils attend from the immediate vicinity of the schools.

Since the pupils in question live less than two miles from the nearest school, I regret that they are ineligible for free transport or grant aid under the terms of the school transport scheme.

Accordingly, it is not open to my Department to provide free transport or to offer a refund for private transport arrangements to the family in question.