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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 2

Written Answers - School Transport For Handicapped Child.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

53 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education her views on whether an eight year old handicapped child (details supplied) in County Cork is entitled to transport from her home to the special class as the Presentation Convent in Bandon 14 miles away and that an arrangement to have her picked up over three miles from her home is altogether unacceptable; and if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the child may have to discontinue education because her parents will not be able to avail of the grant towards private transport costs; and if she will now arrange to have this child picked up at her home and brought to school for the future.

While I can readily appreciate the Deputy's concerns in this case and would be anxious to be as accommodating as possible, I must also have regard to the interests of the other children who use the service in question.

To extend the nearest service so as to provide a home pick-up for the child in question, would involve advancing the present timetable to a 7.09 a.m. start. Such a move would inconvenience nine other pupils on the service which already has a very early start and I would be reluctant to initiate such a change without the agreement of the parents of these children.

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