Enda Kenny
Ceist:
270
Mr. Kenny
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties in relation to school transport being provided to St. Anthony's special school, Castlebar, County Mayo and St. Bríd's special school, Castlebar, County Mayo; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that 90 pupils ranging in age to 19 years are transported by nine buses to these schools and include pupils of mildly, moderate, severe and physical handicap and his Department funds no escort on any of these buses; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that one pupil travelling is blind, two are terminally ill, a number are autistic and that this creates severe difficulties for the driver operators of the transport system resulting in withdrawal of services from the end of September 1998; if he will extend a pilot scheme in respect of these schools introducing a system of permanent escorts and teacher aids in order to regularise the position and allow for an education to be enjoyed by the special pupils so involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18225/98]