asked the Minister for Education whether she is prepared to give special consideration to inner city schools in Dublin in the application of educational cut-backs including those relating to school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

The schools referred to in the question appear to be those which, in the main, serve pupils who do not reside in the immediate area of the schools.

I do not consider that there is any valid basis for making an exception in the case of such schools in relation to the application of the relevant measures which have been introduced in connection with staffing and school transport arrangements.