Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

The Salesian College in Pallaskenry in County Limerick and the parents of its pupils were notified in July 2005 that the school transport facility, primarily for the Ballybrown and Clarina area, would not apply to first year pupils from September 2005 on. The parents were stunned by the announcement as they had enrolled their children for the school in November 2004. Over the last 15 years, a shared catchment area existed between city schools and Pallaskenry. The Department's decision has impacted on 34 first year pupils in Pallaskenry. Where is the logic in the Department of Education and Science supporting a considerable improvement in the Salesian College, Pallaskenry, in 2000 and then cutting off its potential student resource in the future by withdrawing school transport for first year pupils? Even if the pupils in the western side of the city had access to schools there they cannot get access to them. What is the point of exacerbating a bad traffic situation in the Limerick city area?

When the parents discovered the directive in late July 2005 they were furious. Several meetings were held with politicians during the month of August to outline their frustration and request appropriate action. This was followed by proactive pressure on Ministers in the mid-west to persuade the Department of Education and Science to recognise the unique situation that prevailed and accede to the provision of transport for first year pupils. Despite protesting outside the Minister's own office, a subsequent meeting with her in Ennis and a bus journey with her to Ballyconnell in Cavan, in an attempt to highlight the issue with the Taoiseach, they have been unsuccessful and remain bitterly disappointed that the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, has not issued a directive to the Department's officials requesting them to accommodate them.

The decision by the Department has fostered much bitterness in the area and has caused great inconvenience to both parents and pupils. Should the Department not change the decision then future implications for the college could be serious. It could lead to a reduction in first year pupils with parallel consequences for teachers and courses. This is an excellent school and I hope that sanity will prevail in the Minister's reply and that she will accede, as an injustice has been done in this case. The parents and pupils have been shabbily treated by the Department. The Minister should reverse the decision and allow school transport to be provided for the first year pupils who are currently deprived of this facility. I await her response.