Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 6

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

34 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education if she will make monthly payments to the parents of a child (details supplied) attending a special school in Galway, who have been offered a £1,000 annual payment by her Department to provide transport from their own home to the pick-up point in view of the fact that they have three children and a weekly income of £141.20, and, as a consequence, they cannot afford to pay for the cost of transport weekly and wait for a recoupment of the transport costs in June 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20865/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The arrangement under which transport grants are paid at the end of the school year arises from the fact that the level of grant in any particular case is based on the child's attendance record during that year, as well as the distance involved. It is not possible to anticipate the level of a child's attendance in advance.

The particular difficulty raised by the Deputy was not previously brought to the attention of my Department. However, I have now requested my Department to investigate this matter to see if arrangements more in line with the family's circumstances can be made. I will advise the Deputy of the outcome as soon as possible.