School Transport 2023-2024: Statements
Dail Éireann — 2023-10-03
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Duncan Smith (LAB), Dublin Fingal

Following on from my two colleagues, the anachronistic geographic rule fails on the fundamental law of common sense in many cases. One such case is Coláiste Ghlór na Mara, Balbriggan. It was given patronage based on the region. It was said that it would be the regional Gaelcholáiste for Fingal. Children in Swords, 12 in particular, are unable to get the bus service to Balbriggan, which is closer in terms of travel time. It is cleaner and greener to get there. The line on the map says the school in Glasnevin or the school in Kilbarrack, where there is no direct bus service either, by the way, is closer. This is even though there is a feeder school from Swords up to Balbriggan and it is quicker and cleaner to get there. There is a bus. It goes from Blake's Cross. It should start from Swords. There are 12 kids being left behind. I raised this on Questions on Policy or Legislation. I know that the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, has raised it as well. I ask that it be sorted out and that the bus service be extended.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2023-10-03/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:52:13+00:00
Sitting date: 2023-10-03