Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 21 Apr 1994

Vol. 441 No. 7

Adjournment Debate. - School Transport For Handicapped Child.

Mr. Crawford

I thank the Minister of the State at the Department of Education, Deputy Aylward, for coming into the House to listen to the problem. The matter I wish to draw to your attention concerns a severely handicapped epileptic boy who lives with his parents in Castleblayney. He has attended St. Enda's school in Monaghan for the past nine years, travelling each day in the bus that takes children to another school in Monaghan.

In the first week of 1993 his mother was informed by the bus driver that her son would no longer be accommodated in the above arrangement for his journey home. She had not received notification from any other source regarding the change of transport. The bus driver stated that the boy would be taken to school as usual but would not be taken home until 4 p.m. This child finishes school at 2.45 p.m. On the first day of the new arrangement he arrived home at 5.10 p.m.

He was taken from his school in Monaghan to the bus station and remained there until the bus took him home at 4.20 p.m. On one occasion the boy was taken two miles beyond his home before a new driver discovered the mistake. This service was discontinued and again his parents were not informed. He was then put on a different bus to take him to Castleblayney. First, he had to wait one and a half hours at Monaghan bus station and if his father had not been in Castleblayney to meet him he would have had to wait in a pub. During his period at the bus stop he was unsupervised. One can imagine his mother's trauma thinking of what could happen to this epileptic boy. Due to all the chopping and changing the boy's health has been seriously affected. He gets physically sick most mornings before school wondering how he will get home. His doctor has confirmed this in writing.

The boy is on medication for epilepsy. It is almost impossible to administer tablets to him because of his illness which, in turn, results in more problems. While it is serious for the child I fear for the sanity of his mother. His father travels to Monaghan to collect him most days.

I have asked questions of the Minister for Education and I had a reply in March to the effect that she hopes to have something sorted out soon. I have been in constant contact with the Minister's office who put me in contact with the Office of the Minister of State. So far we have not got a satisfactory reply. I hope this young boy and his family can be given the relief they deserve. We must cherish the children of the State equally. This boy is seriously handicapped, his parents are doing their best to look after him and the least we can do is facilitate them in every way possible.

Minister of State at the Department of Education (Mr. Alyward)

I thank Deputy Crawford for raising this matter. He has been in constant touch with the Department on it. I have been actively engaged in seeking a solution which will meet the special needs of this case.

The pupil in question is 16 years of age and suffers from mild mental handicap, cerebral palsy and epilepsy. He has attended St. Enda's special school in Monaghan since 1984. Until the current school year, he travelled to school each day on an ordinary bus service that brought children from Castleblayney to schools in Monaghan. Following a general review of school transport arrangements prior to the current school year, it was decided by Bus Éireann to revise the bus service from Castleblayney to Monaghan. This consequence of their revision was that the evening pick-up time for up to 60 other pupils was improved by 20 minutes. However, as Seán was the only pupil from St. Enda's availing of the service, it was no longer considered feasible to provide him with a home set-down point. His morning transport arrangements were not affected by this development.

Under the revised afternoon arrangement, Seán was collected from school and brought to the bus depot in Monaghan where he travelled on the three o'clock scheduled service to Dublin. The student would then be set down at the bus stop in Castleblayney, approximately three miles from his home, where his father would collect him. In November 1993, this scheduled service was cancelled by Bus Éireann. Seán is now brought to the Monaghan bus depot at three o'clock to wait for the 4.10 p.m. scheduled service to Dundalk which passes by his home.

I am aware of the school transport needs of pupils with disabilities and I accept that Seán's present situation is unsatisfactory, both for him and for his parents who are very concerned for their son's welfare.

The Department of Education has been investigating a range of options which would alleviate this problem. The Deputy will appreciate that this process could take some time to complete in view of the need to bear in mind the possible negative impact of new arrangements on the circumstances of other pupils. Taking all factors into account, my Department considers that the most suitable solution would be to provide a taxi to collect Seán in the evening from the school bus set-down point in Castleshane and bring him home. Appropriate arrangements in this regard are now being made.

I know the Deputy who has made great efforts and all others concerned will be very happy with the satisfactory outcome of the case.

The Dáil adjourned at 5.20 p.m. until 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 26 April 1994.