Seymour Crawford
Question:431 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education when a reply will be given to correspondence (details supplied) from Deputy Seymour Crawford in relation to proper transport facilities for physically handicapped children.
Vol. 434 No. 2
431 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education when a reply will be given to correspondence (details supplied) from Deputy Seymour Crawford in relation to proper transport facilities for physically handicapped children.
I very much regret the delay in responding to the Deputy's earlier representations. This arose because my Department is engaged in ongoing efforts to arrive at a resolution of the problem. The Deputy will appreciate that the special transport needs of such children, coupled with their wide dispersal throughout the country, present particular difficulties.
A very large investment in specially adapted vehicles would be required to give the children the sort of service one might wish, and, added to that, the running costs would be extremely high. Bus Éireann do not have specially adapted vehicles at their disposal, apart from a small pilot scheme in Dublin city. Similarly, private contractors are not prepared to invest in these vehicles because of their limited use.