School Transport.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 February 2007

Thursday, 15 February 2007

Ceisteanna (160)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

161 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1726 of 31 January 2007, if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the maps received from her Department, dated 12 April 2006 under a freedom of information request, differ from the map currently displayed on the Wexford VEC website; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that a letter dated 3 March 2006 from the transport liaison officer of County Wexford in Bus Éireann requested a copy of Bus Éireann’s maps to replace the catchment boundary maps then in use by the TLO; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5788/07]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science (Mr. Haughey)

The Deputy will be aware that catchment boundaries have their origins in the establishment of free post-primary education in the late 1960's and maps were drawn up at the time. No general review of catchment boundaries has taken place since the inception of the school transport scheme. A small number of local reviews were carried out over the years in certain circumstances where, for example, a new post-primary school was established in an area where previously there was none or, conversely, where a "sole provider" school closed due to declining enrolment.

No recent changes have been made to the catchment boundary maps for County Wexford. However, my Department is aware that an incorrect map was used to categorise a small number of students for school transport in the 2005/06 school year only. The error was promptly discovered and acted upon.

My Department will liaise with the Transport Liaison Officer for County Wexford regarding the map on the Wexford VEC website. If necessary, that map will be brought into line with the map retained in my Department.