Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2014
163. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason his Department is asking the parents of a special needs student (details supplied) in County Westmeath to pay transport costs to a school to undertake a leaving certificate applied course, when no school in the immediate locality is able to provide this curriculum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19040/14]
View answerUnder the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.
The school this child proposes to attend in September is not her nearest school and therefore she is not eligible for school transport to this school. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis subject to a number of terms and conditions including the availability of spare sets on an existing service and the payment of the annual charge. The parents of this child should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office regarding the availability of seats for the 2014/15 school year. Only children who are eligible for school transport and who hold a valid medical card (GMS Scheme) are exempt from paying the annual charge.
