asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that for upwards of eighteen months a local committee in Loughrea have been carrying the cost of financing the transport of mentally retarded children to and from suitable schools in Galway city twice daily; and when his Department will come to the aid of this voluntary committee by providing a State transport service for these children from the Loughrea area.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway School Bus Service.
74.
Voluntary transport has been in use for some time to convey three mentally handicapped children from Loughrea to Derrydonnell where they join a special service set up by the Department to convey children from Gort to Galway. It has recently come to my notice that there may now be eight children in the area who require transport to Galway. I have asked that the local Association furnish me with some extra information on the children concerned. When I receive this information, I will consider, as favourably as possible, the question of the establishment of a special service from Loughrea to Galway.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary say if deaf children are entitled to the same sort of service to take them to schools for the deaf?
If the Deputy has any case in mind we would be pleased to hear from him.