Brian O'Shea
Ceist:509 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to carry out an early review of school transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25107/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2004
509 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science her proposals to carry out an early review of school transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25107/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pupils to whom the Deputy refers are eligible for catchment boundary transport only to the post-primary centre in question. My Department has no plans to review the catchment boundary lines at this time.
510 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if there are proposals to restore the school transport service for students from the Kncokmeal and Carrigroe areas to Clonmel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25108/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pupils to whom the Deputy refers are eligible for catchment boundary transport only to Clonmel post-primary centre. My Department has been advised by Bus Éireann that the local transport contractor, who resided in the area and operated the service to Clonmel, collected the children on a personal basis locally on the light running of the service to the catchment boundary line. This was an unofficial arrangement and not a feature of the school transport scheme. The new bus contractor collects the pupils from the nearest pick-up point within the Clonmel catchment area. An extension of service to the Knockmeal-Carrigroe area is not possible as this would involve an encroachment into another catchment area which would be contrary to the terms of the school transport scheme.
511 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if the circumstances of persons attending schools in Carlow from Leighlinbridge and Bagenalstown will be re-examined with a view to providing school transport for the 18 persons involved; if their cases will be expedited in view of the exceptional circumstances of each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25115/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe pupils to whom the Deputy refers are eligible for catchment boundary transport only to Carlow town post-primary centre, as they are not attending the post-primary centre of the catchment area in which they live. Transport may be allowed to catchment boundary pupils, subject to there being room available on a service after all fully eligible children have been accommodated and provided there is no additional cost involved by way of extending a service, or introducing a larger bus. The service in question is currently operating to capacity and it is not possible to facilitate the pupils in question with catchment boundary transport.