Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

I would like to begin by thanking the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Haughey, for the replies he has previously given me in response to my ongoing queries about this matter. I accept that he has agreed to include it in the national review of school transport. However, it would be remiss and negligent of me to fail to attempt to bring it to a conclusion. The question of whether the children in the village of Narraghmore are outside the catchment area of the proposed bus route is a debatable one. Although it is worth mentioning that the village is 7.2 km from Kilcullen, 7 km from Athy and 6.1 km from Dunlavin, that is not the point I wish to make.

It cannot be denied that the pupils to whom I refer are entitled to travel on the school bus that leaves Narraghmore for Kilcullen each day. While they may be travelling outside their catchment area, that does not enter the equation because there is room on the bus for them. They are entitled to avail of the school bus service under the rule which states that children may be accommodated if there is room for them. In this instance, there is enough room for them. However, one aspect of this arrangement is worrying for me and the parents of these children. The parents of 12 families, rather than being allowed to use the well-designed bus stop in the village of Narraghmore, are required to bring their children a mile and a half outside the village to gain access to the school bus service. The children are forced to get on the bus at a crossroads that is an absolute death trap. If common sense were to prevail in his respect, safety would be the priority and the matter would be resolved straight away. In his previous replies to me, the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, said that any change in this arrangement could have national repercussions.

I hope no child gets hurt as a result of the crazy ruling to the effect that the school bus should pass the bus stop in Narraghmore, which has been prepared by the local authority, and instead proceed to a crossroads outside the village. The children in question also have to be driven to the crossroads. As we enter the time of the year when the mornings and evenings are dark, it is worth pointing out as that the crossroads is unlit, the children are dropped off and collected in total darkness. There are at least 12 cars, not counting the general traffic in the area, including milk lorries. These are included in the photographs I have to hand. 11 o'clock

The children are entitled to be on the bus and there is no problem with the school they are attending. The only problem is that the Department, through Bus Éireann, will not pick up and drop off the children every day at a safe, well-lit destination in the village in which they live. It beggars belief that they are being put in such circumstances. It affects the parents also because the crossroads are unlit and present a danger.

Although the Minister of State in attendance, Deputy Killeen, is not the Minister of State responsible, I ask him to present my photographs to the Department and ask it to see the logic in what I am saying. I ask the Department to prioritise the children's safety in making a decision.

I will continue to pursue this matter. It would be remiss and negligent of me if I did not put the children's safety first. If they were not entitled to be on the bus, it would be a different ball game. That is not in question here. There is nothing in question only the location of the bus stop where the children are collected. What is occurring is unfair and unjust. It is wrong to make the kids travel to the crossroads. They have to get up earlier in the morning than they should and their parents have to pool resources to transport them to the pick-up point, thereby incurring a cost.

The overall picture is such that the common good is being ignored. The Department will experience problems if a child is badly hurt as a result of what is occurring. I hope common sense will prevail and the Department will consider my case positively. I ask the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, to pass on the photographs to the Minister of State, Deputy Haughey, who has helped me in every way regarding this matter, even to the point of saying it will be included in the national review. The children are in too much danger at present and I hope common sense will prevail even before the national review is completed.

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