Results 641-660 of 1,025,534 for in 'Dáil debates' OR (speaker:Tom Kitt OR speaker:David Stanton) in 'Committee meetings'

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

Norma Foley: I thank the Deputy. To be fair, parents or guardians sometimes have a variety of reasons as to why it is necessary for them to bring their children to school or drive them to school. The reasons can be multifaceted and complex and parents and guardians should always have that freedom. Notwithstanding that, I know there are many parents who are very keen to be in a position to avail of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Curriculum (28 May 2024)

Questions Nos. 10 and 11 taken with Written Answers.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

School Transport

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

Rose Conway-Walsh: 12. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there can be flexibility in the 1 km rule for school transport where a number of children are forced to walk a narrow and dangerous road with no footpath to reach the current collection point; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23899/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

Rose Conway-Walsh: This question should refer to the 2.4 km rule and the case I have of children having to walk more than 1 km on a narrow and dangerous road. This is in the Boleyglass and Derryfada areas. I want to raise the issue of pick-up points. Children from a number of different households are all walking down the same narrow, dangerous road to the pick-up point. Can that be moved to accommodate them...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

Norma Foley: The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year more than 161,600 children are being transported on a daily basis to schools throughout the country. This figure comprises more than 135,000 pupils travelling on mainstream services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

Rose Conway-Walsh: The issue is with regard to the pick-up points and to the common sense that is needed around this to ensure the health and safety of children. I know the Minister would agree with that. The school transport system is plagued by a lack of flexibility in an number of ways. As the Minister knows, the system needs to be reformed. We all know that the scheme is not a door-to-door service but...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

Norma Foley: To be fair, the Deputy did not reference the route when the question was submitted. I will revert to her on this specific case. I will ask for it to be looked at.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl: Can we leave it at that then?

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

Rose Conway-Walsh: I really do appreciate that. I will give the Minister the postcodes and all of the other necessary information to be able to look at the issue.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

Questions Nos. 13 to 15, inclusive, taken with Written Answers.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

School Transport

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: 16. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which she and her Department expect to be in a position to improve school transport serving primary and second level schools throughout north Kildare and countrywide in line with the enrolment requirements and admissions for September 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23854/24]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: This question seeks to alert the Minister of the need to deal with the issue of school transport. Difficulties have arisen in relation to the availability of school places. It has become necessary for some parents to drop their children to school and pick them up. This involves four trips for parents in the day and in some cases, to more than one school, which makes life extremely...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

Norma Foley: The school transport scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year, as I said previously, 161,600 children availed of or are availing of the school transport scheme. That comprises 135,000 pupils travelling on mainstream services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and almost 7,000 pupils who...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for her reply. I know she has made huge efforts to try to improve the school transport system where voids occur. Given the information the Minister has given to the House might it be possible, in the circumstances likely to emerge in the not-too-distant future, to introduce a little bit of flexibility into the system in order to ensure the various dots are joined up?...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Transport (28 May 2024)

Norma Foley: I want to reiterate that more than 161,000 young people are currently availing of the system. They are being transported to and from school every single day. It is a hugely important service. I come from a rural constituency. Nobody appreciates or understands its value as much as I do, and I know Deputies across the floor of the House understand that. However, we have a greater...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Enrolments (28 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I thank the Minister for her helpful reply and I acknowledge the tremendous investment in education in County Kildare in school buildings in particular and in improving standards generally. We all came through the time when it was not so. We are anxious to ascertain certain things. For instance, Mercy Convent in Naas appears to be completed in terms of building works, but is not. It is...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Enrolments (28 May 2024)

Norma Foley: The Deputy is correct there has been significant investment in Kildare in the past four years. Whether it is new schools or extension of school accommodation, the Department has not been found wanting. I will request an update on the school the Deputy mentioned and ensure he receives it. In the round, we are told there are 400 more places in the system for sixth class than is required....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: School Enrolments (28 May 2024)

Bernard Durkan: I agree the Minister has given much time to ensuring the fastest possible delivery takes place and that accommodation needs and the needs of children in education are kept to the fore. St. Farnan's Post Primary School in Prosperous is another one we all thought would be well advanced by now but it is not. I reiterate the point I made on the climate element. This is a red herring that...