Beverley Flynn
Ceist:690 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Education and Science when a full-time attendant will be appointed for a school bus route (details supplied) in County Mayo. [21297/98]
Written Answers. - School Transport.
Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:705 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be made on extending the escort service to St. Francis's special school, Temple Street Hospital, Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21390/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 690 and 705 together.
I can assure the Deputies that I am very much aware of the need to extend the existing escort scheme on special school transport services. I am currently giving active consideration to possible measures in this regard.
The present pilot phase of the escort scheme is focused on facilitating the appointment of escorts on services to special schools for children with physical disabilities, and providing assistance towards the cost of escorts for pupils attending the special schools for hearing impaired and visually impaired children who travel long distances by bus or train at weekends.
The needs of pupils in the schools referred to by the Deputies will be given every consideration in the event of an expansion of the escort scheme being undertaken.