asked the Minister for Education if she has received representations from the National Association for the Deaf regarding the special needs of deaf children in regard to school transport; if she will extend to deaf children the right to school transport; in view of their particular needs, and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - School Transport.
274.
Under the school transport scheme free transport is available to children attending the special schools for hearing impaired in Dublin on a daily basis. Special bus services are generally provided for children at primary level while the majority of pupils attending the post-primary sections of the schools are catered for on the public scheduled services as has been the practice for many years.
However, in a number of cases, where special circumstances warrant it, special bus services are available to some children of post-primary age and the National Association for the Deaf have recently made a submission requesting that the provision of special bus services at this level be increased. I am presently having this submission examined in detail by my Department.