Beverley Flynn
Question:363 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Science when an escort will be provided on school buses for mentally handicapped children on a full-time basis. [24927/98]
Written Answers - School Transport.
Gay Mitchell
Question:412 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that children with special needs attending Stewarts' Hospital school, Palmerstown, Dublin 20, are travelling to school without adequate means of restraint, for example, seat belts or harness and a lack of suitable supervision or help; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24766/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 363 and 412 together.
I can assure the Deputies that I am very much aware of the need to extend the existing escort scheme on the special school transport services and to provide additional funding for the purchase of safety harnesses. I am currently giving active consideration to possible measures in this regard.
The needs of all schools catering for special needs children will be fully considered in the context of any developments which may take place in this area.