asked the Minister for Education if he will provide school transport for families from the Bunaveela, Lettertresk and Lena areas attending Keenagh national school, Ballina, County Mayo.

There are insufficient eligible children offering for transport in the areas concerned to warrant the establishment of a special school transport service to Keenagh national school under the terms of the free transport scheme.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary accept that this is probably one of the most remote parts of the country and that the criteria established should not be followed in cases of this kind?

There are only six children offering for transport. The criteria are of general application. I agree that remoteness is a factor but other considerations could also be brought in such as, perhaps, the business of the roads in other areas where remoteness is not a factor to justify a departure from the general rules. I believe that at least for the time being we must have general rules of general application in regard to school transport.

In this area the local community have made a substantial contribution amounting to £500 a year in order to have children taken into school because they realise how serious the situation is and how remote the area is. In view of that fact, would the Parliamentary Secretary not give special consideration to this case?

They do not qualify under the rules for free school transport according to the provisions of the scheme which now exists and existed previously. As to whether any special assistance can be given them in view of the fact that they are prepared to put up some money themselves, that is a matter that, perhaps, could be considered but I should not like to anticipate the result of that consideration.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary prepared to accept the directive in the 1916 proclamation to cherish all the children of the nation equally?

Yes.