Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 3

Written Answers. - School Transport.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

400 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will arrange a proper transport system to the convent primary school, Thomastown, County Kilkenny, for pupils living in the area of Danesrath, Elmdale and Ballinamona who are without the service and who have been constantly requesting it due to the increased number of pupils attending the school from the area affected; and if he will arrange an immediate review of the current system to cater for the above demand. [22414/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I understand that the children to whom the Deputy refers reside in the Knocktopher closed school area. This former school amalgamated with Ballyhale national school. Under the terms of the school transport scheme, children in a closed school area may be eligible for free transport to the school of amalgamation only. As the children in question are attending another school the most that can be offered is concessionary fare-paying transport on the existing service.

Fare-paying tickets may only be issued where there is accommodation available after all eligible children have been catered for, and no additional State cost is involved by way of altering or extending the route of a service, or providing an additional or larger bus. In the circumstances, I regret it is not open to my Department to provide a service as requested.