David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The decision to use the second-nearest school for these purposes was an inspired one. I agree with the Minister that it has made a huge difference. Will the Minister clarify if it is in place again this year? Perhaps she is familiar with the route between Carrigtwohill and Cobh. Can girls from Cobh now get transport to the school in Carrigtwohill, which would be their second-nearest school? Would this measure apply in those instances? As the Minister is aware, children going to St. Aloysius College from Cobh must pay privately. It is very expensive. There is no real transport there. It would take a lot of cars off the road. Perhaps the Minister could clarify that. The same applies on the Knockraha to Carrigtwohill route, with Glanmire being the nearest school and Carrigtwohill being the second nearest. Would this apply also in these instances?

I ask the Minister to look again at the need to appeal the application of the section 29 model that is there at the moment, which is quite legalistic. If parents must get transport to school, that is the method they must use if the nearest school is full.

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