asked the Minister for Education if he is aware of the serious hardship caused to the schoolchildren of Doobeha, Garranard, Ballina, County Mayo, because CIE does not provide transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo School Transport.
121.
Mr. O'Malley
Because of my anxiety to have the free transport scheme extended to the whole country as quickly as possible, I authorised CIE some time ago to hire a sufficient number of buses from Ulster Bus Ltd., pending delivery of the new school buses at present being manufactured. As a result, the whole country will have service by February next.
I expect that CIE will be able to provide service for the children of Doobeha, Garranard, County Mayo, within the next few weeks. As these children live in a remote area, it will be necessary to provide a feeder service by motor car to link up with the new school bus route to Crossmolina.
I appreciate that the Minister has gone to some trouble to find out that this is a remote area. Could he be more specific in the matter of the time when the feeder service will be made available to serve the main transport—in a few weeks? It is not indicated clearly.
Mr. O'Malley
I thought I made the point clear. I said that I expect that CIE will be able to provide service for the children within the next few weeks. There are eight children here in the Doobeha and adjoining areas. They live four and a half miles from the bus route. Because of the nature of the roads, it is not possible to bring the bus any nearer to them. I have authorised CIE to establish a car service from Doobeha to link up with the main bus route.
Will that be within a few weeks?
Mr. O'Malley
They might do it in a lesser time. I have given the authority.