Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 3

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

278 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if the proposal for a common catchment area can now be implemented in order that the children from the Dunbeacon-Goleen area attending Schull community college in west Cork can be given their legal and constitutional entitlement to school transport; the reason it has taken so long to have the proposal examined and decided on since it was first proposed over a year ago; and if he will put in place school transport for the children in question. [12934/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The pupils to whom the Deputy refers live in the Bantry catchment area, and are fully eligible for transport to this post-primary centre only. Alternatively, the pupils may avail of catchment boundary transport from the nearest pick up point within the Schull catchment area. Catchment boundary transport may be allowed subject to there being spare accommodation available and no extra cost involved. A revision of the catchment boundaries or the introduction of a shared area is being considered in my Department. I have asked that the matter be finalised in good time to ensure that revised transport arrangements can be put in place from next September should agreement be reached in the matter.