Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 591: To ask the Minister for Education and Science further to a parliamentary question regarding the provision of school transport for certain children in Blackwater, County Wexford, her views on the fact that the provision of transport on a temporary basis is of little value to the students and parents concerned and that it is not practical for students and parents to cancel existing private arrangements which might not be subsequently available in order to avail of a very temporary public provision; her further views on the fact that the parents have made a compelling case for the provision of publicly provided transport for these pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11743/07]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Following a meeting with a deputation representing parents of some children from the Blackwater area, my Department agreed to arrange for an independent examination to establish the position in relation to maps used to determine eligibility for school transport in this area. In the interim, and as a temporary measure pending the outcome of the examination, I am prepared to provide transport up to the end of the current school year from the catchment boundary for fourteen named students whose details were sent to me following the meeting with the deputation. The establishment of this temporary transport service will obviously depend on the acceptance by the parents of the conditional nature of the arrangement as set out in correspondence.