Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 Dec 1993

Vol. 437 No. 4

Written Answers. - School Transport.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

55 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the enormous difficulties being experienced by parents in remote parts of west Waterford in having their handicapped children transported to the Sesame School in Dungarvan, County Waterford and to similar centres in Waterford city; and if he will take steps to alleviate the hardship for the children involved.

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

I understand from the South Eastern Health Board that six children with mental handicap currently attend the Sesame Pre-School in Dungarvan and that transport for the children is provided by a rota of voluntary drivers.

In the case of the children who attend the Sacred Heart Unit in Waterford, transport is provided in a number of different ways. Some children are collected by a bus from the centre, others are transported by the South Eastern Health Board's ambulance services; others use the school transport system and the remaining children are driven by either their parents or voluntary drivers.

I understand that the fact that there are no escorts on the school buses has given rise to some particular problems in relation to children with disturbed behaviour. As the Deputy is aware the Special Education Review Committee considered the issue of the need for escorts on buses for certain pupils who require adult supervision in addition to the driver.

The recommendations of the Special Education Review Committee are currently being considered by the Department of Education.

If there are families who are experiencing particular problems in transporting their children to either the Sesame pre-school or the Sacred Heart Unit in Waterford, I will take the matter up with the South Eastern Health Board if the Deputy can supply me with more detailed information.