Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2012
134. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is currently reviewing the school transport scheme for children with disabilities and or special educational needs; his views on whether the scheme recognises that the most appropriately resourced school for a child with SEN may not be the nearest local school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51344/12]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, which are not under review, children are eligible for transport where they:
- have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability in accordance with the designation of high and low incidence disability set out in Department of Education and Skill's (DES) Circular 02/05 and
- are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs). The NCSE has responsibility, through its network of SENOs, for the establishment of special education facilities and for allocating resource teachers and special needs assistants to schools to support children with special needs.
While it is the prerogative of parents to send their children to the school of their choice, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest school that is or can be resourced to meet a child's special educational needs; this school may or may not be the nearest local school.
