Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 May 1997

Vol. 479 No. 2

Written Answers. - School Transport

Brendan Smith

Question:

228 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has to extend the special transport grant to cover all the mileage involved in the case of children attending special classes or schools in Northern Ireland and not just to the Border in view of the way in which the current scheme operates. [12862/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Under the terms and conditions of the school transport scheme administered by my Department, transport grants are only available in respect of mileage within the State.

However, I have referred the issue of grants payable to children attending special classes or schools in Northern Ireland to the school transport review committee for examination as part of the overall review of the school transport scheme.

The committee's report will be made available to me shortly, at which time the matter of grants for these pupils will be given further consideration.