Olivia Mitchell
Question:38 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department has resolved the problem of appointing escorts to special education school buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25413/99]
Written Answers. - School Transport.
David Stanton
Question:44 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the schools operating the escort scheme on school buses carrying children with special needs; the schools which have refused to operate the scheme; the measures, if any, he has taken to ensure that all these buses carry an escort; the amount provided for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25421/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 44 together.
I am grateful to the Deputy for giving me an opportunity to comment on this matter. For many years before my appointment as Minister for Education and Science there were neglected demands for funding to be made available for the appointment of escorts on special school transport services. From the outset, I have accepted the valid concerns of parents and school authorities at the dangers to which special needs children can be exposed when travelling unaccompanied on these services.
In an effort to address this issue, I secured an allocation of £3.4 million to fund the extension of the escort service to all 585 special transport routes in the country. This allocation was additional to the £150,000 already spent annually on the pilot escort scheme which has been in place on 34 special transport routes for some years. Also, as part of this development, I secured approval to increase the payment per escort from the £3,200 per annum, which had applied under the pilot scheme, to £4,995 per escort. I secured these resources on the basis of valid concerns which had been expressed to me by both parents and schools.
I also took the view, which I still hold, that the most appropriate people to operate the escort scheme are the school authorities which are catering for the children in question on a daily basis and know the children's' needs and behaviours.
I assure the House that I appreciate the extra work involved for schools in participating in this scheme. I also recognise the concerns and reservations which some individual schools have expressed at taking on responsibility for the escort scheme. While I appreciate that these concerns are validly held, I would point out that the pilot escort service which has operated on more than 30 special transport routes for a number of years has not presented the difficulties which are now being raised by some schools. While I am somewhat disappointed at the inflexible stance which certain schools appear to be adopting in relation to this matter, I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the commitment shown by those schools who have gone ahead and appointed their escorts.
Nationally, my Department has issued a total of 585 escort grants at a rate of £4,995 per escort. The 585 routes involved serve a total of 156 individual schools. To date, a total of 54 schools involving 119 individual escorts have indicated that they are implementing the scheme. A total of 23 schools involving 134 escorts have indicated that they are not prepared to implement the scheme. I am arranging to provide the Deputy with details of both groups of schools.
Officers of my Department are currently in discussion with the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education in an effort to secure the agreement of all schools to implement the scheme as soon as possible. I can assure the House that my Department will make every effort to facilitate a resolution of this matter.