95 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education if she will intervene in the dispute involving ten children from the Kilgobnet national school, Beaufort, County Kerry, in relation to the discontinuation of school transport facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13082/97]

Under the terms of the primary school transport scheme, only eligible children may be counted towards the establishment or retention of a service. A school transport service may only be established or retained where the number of eligible children living in a district locality offering for transport to the nearest national school is sufficient to ensure that the minimum daily number of eligible pupils conveyed each term would not be less than ten.

The service in question concluded at the end of the Easter term as there were no eligible children offering for transport from the relevant locality. All of the remaining pupils on this service to Kilgobnet national school were ineligible for transport under the terms of the scheme. The Department's decision to allow the service be terminated followed long and detailed consideration of the case. Care was taken to ensure that all relevant parties were notified in advance. Accordingly, I do not intend to intervene in this matter.