Vol. 503 No. 3
535 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will grant the application for a transport service to St. Brigid's national school, Kilcullen, County Kildare to ensure that the pupils who are attending the special needs classes can attend each day. [9603/99]
My Department endeavours to provide school transport for all children attending special schools and classes on either scheduled or special services. However, in some cases this is not feasible due to particular circumstances such as excessive cost, too long a distance, or the inability of a child to avail of the service because of the nature of the disability. In such cases, my Department offers a grant to the parents or guardians of the pupil concerned to help defray the cost of private transport arrangements.
I understand that the issue to which the Deputy refers relates to six pupils attending a special class at the school and for whom a special transport service could not be provided due to cost factors and the distances involved. My Department has offered transport grants to the families of the children involved to assist in their making private transport arrangements.
The amount of transport grant paid in each case depends on the distance involved and the level of school attendance of the pupil. The level of grant may be appealed in any individual case where it can be shown that the family involved is encountering hardship in supporting the private transport arrangement. I understand that the amount of grant offered in respect of one of the families involved has since been increased on appeal.
