asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that, due to traffic diversion which will last for a period of five months, some of the pupils attending Edenderry secondary schools from the Rhode and Mount-lucas areas are being collected at 7.30 a.m. arriving in Edenderry at 7.55 a.m.; and if, under the circumstances, he will make arrangements for an extra school bus for this interim period.

The closure of Killane Bridge from 24th November, 1971 has made it necessary to re-route school bus services operating from the Rhode and Mountlucas areas into Edenderry. Everything possible has been done to keep inconvenience to a minimum but earlier pick-up times in the mornings are unavoidable until the bridge is reopened for traffic. I have been in touch with Offaly County Council, who assure me that every effort is being made to expedite the reconstruction of the bridge, although it is unlikely to be reopened until after Easter.

As the children still have a standard of service above the minimum laid down for the operation of the school transport scheme, the expense of operating an extra bus for the short period the bridge will be closed would not be warranted.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary mean to say that he is not going to provide an extra bus at present?

Yes, I said that.

It is stated in the question that these children are leaving home in the morning at approximately 7.30 and arriving at the school in town some time around 8 o'clock and this is a disgrace.

The children are leaving the school in the afternoon earlier than usual and, in all, the extra time spent on the bus in the course of a whole day is 12 minutes.