asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the fact that considerable hardship is being caused by an upper age limit of 16 years for transport of mentally handicapped patients by minibus to residential centres; and if he will consider reviewing the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Transport of Mentally Handicapped Patients .
25.
: I am not so aware. The Department of Education operate a transport scheme for persons who are attending schools in these centres either on a day or a residential basis. There is no upper age limit for this transport scheme. In addition to the formal school transport scheme, the health boards operate limited transport schemes for non-school going persons in the residential centres. I have had inquiries made from the health boards and I understand that there is no upper age limit applied in the operation of these schemes.