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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 5

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Richard Bruton

Question:

257 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to a case reported recently (details supplied) where parents remortgaged their house to fund sending a child to Antrim due to the delay in developing a suitable centre of excellence. [8496/00]

I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy. Officials of my Department have met the parents of the child in question in recent days and the matter is under active consideration in my Department at present.

The Deputy may be aware that a planning group for a national centre for visually impaired children was established last year. That group is expected to report in the near future.

Liam Aylward

Question:

258 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny with Down's syndrome has attended school for only six months out of a two year period due to the fact there is nobody to assist him on the school bus; and if he will have arrangements made to have an assistant made available at the earliest possible date. [8507/00]

I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers.

The school attended by this pupil engaged an escort in January 2000 for the bus route on which he travels to school. However, I understand that the person carrying out the escort duties ceased employment last month. The school authorities have informed my Department that they are in the process of recruiting a replacement escort and hope to have a new escort in place shortly.

David Stanton

Question:

259 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 44 of 1 December 1999, any of the 23 schools which stated that they did not wish to implement the escorts scheme on school buses carrying children with special needs have since agreed to do so; the schools which still do not wish to implement the scheme; the plans, if any, he has to ensure that those children with special needs without escorts will have them shortly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8514/00]

Four of the 23 schools which had originally not agreed to implement the escort scheme have now informed my Department of their agreement to proceed with the appointment of their escorts.

Two further schools subsequently informed my Department that they would not implement the scheme, leaving 21 schools which have not yet agreed to participate in the scheme. Details of the schools in question are listed in the following table.
To-date, a total of 65 schools have implemented the scheme and have appointed their escorts.
I am aware that some schools have expressed concerns at the burden involved in undertaking the scheme. Such concerns have been the subject of discussions between officials of my Department and the National Association of Boards of Management in Special Education – NABMSE – which represents the management authorities of the schools in question.
Arising from these discussions, my Department has advised the schools that savings which have resulted from the non-appointment of escorts over the period September to December, 1999 could be used to engage administrative assistance with the introduction of the scheme. The schools were also advised that any savings resulting from escort duties being less than the assumed six hours per day could be used to acquire administrative assistance. My Department also advised the schools that arrangements could be made for the local bus contractors delivering the transport services to arrange for substitute escort cover in the event of an escort not reporting for duty on a particular day.
I appreciate that some practical difficulties may still arise in individual situations and my Department will make every effort to address such matters. However, as Minister for Education and Science I am firmly of the view that the schools which cater for these special needs children on a daily basis are the most appropriate bodies to undertake the operation of the escort scheme. The schools are familiar with the children's needs. They are dedicated to the children's welfare and in my view are best placed to ensure that the escort scheme operates in a manner which ensures the safety of the children and provides parents with the reassurance they require.
I would therefore call on those schools which have not yet done so, to proceed with the appointment of their escorts in the interests of the children concerned.
The following is a list of schools currently refusing to implement the scheme;

County

School

Cavan

St Anne's Special School, Bailieboro

Clare

St Anne's Special School, Ennis

Cork

Our Lady of Good Counsel Special School, Lota

Donegal

Killybegs NS

Dublin

St Helen's NS, Portmarnock

Galway

St Joseph's Special School, Thomas Hynes Rd

Kerry

Kenmare NS

Kerry

Nano Nagle Special School, Listowel

Kilkenny

Mother of Fair Love Special School

County

School

Kilkenny

School of the Holy Spirit (Special School)

Laois

St Francis Special School, Portlaoise

Limerick

Catherine McAuley Special School

Limerick

Courtney NS, Newcastle

Meath

St Mary's Special School, Athlumney

Meath

St Ultan's Special School, Navan

Offaly

St Joseph's NS, Tullamore

Offaly

Convent Primary School, Birr

Waterford

St Joseph's Special School

Westmeath

St Brigid's Special School*

Wexford

Our Lady of Fatima Special School.

Wicklow

Newcourt Special School, Bray

*St Brigid special school has advised my Department that they are not implementing the scheme. However, the school has employed an escort on one route for an individual pupil.
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