asked the Minister for Education the subsidy paid to CIE towards student fares for the school year 1981-82.

The amount of the subsidy for the school year in question was £1,171,255.

What is the position in relation to that subsidy? Has it been withdrawn?

Yes, that is the position.

The Minister will appreciate that we have withdrawn a sum of £1 million, for children in the primary school and the first cycle in the secondary area. Is the Minister not concerned that this withdrawal will have a very damaging effect on our young people?

I do not accept that it will have a very damaging effect. Unfortunately this year the Estimates produced by the outgoing Government left a shortfall in the provision of money——

That is the position in which we found ourselves——

Do the Coalition want to give up Government? We will take over any time. The Minister is passing the buck.

Order, please. Question No. 21.

Would the Minister accept that the withdrawal of this subsidy could mean in certain cases that children who formerly travelled by bus will not be able to do so now? If they opt to be educated in their local areas, will the facilities and teachers be available? I do not think so.

I am not aware whether the facilities will be available in their own areas, but if they are not, I do not think I should be held responsible. Here we have a situation where transport was subsidised for children who would not normally qualify under the school transport scheme. This service had to be withdrawn because of the financial situation. There is nothing more I can add to what I have already said.

That is a better answer——

Question No. 21.

21.