This case is a damning indictment of the special school transport system for the handicapped. The pupil involved is just 15 years of age and his medical history is simply tragic. He was born with what is termed the Russell Silver syndrome, a unique form of dwarfism. I understand there are only two cases of this type in the country. The boy also had a hole in the heart which necessitated surgery when he was eight months old. While the cardiac surgical procedure was a success, a clot developed two days after the operation which left him brain damaged and paralysed. In fact, he is both mentally and physically handicapped. He is confined to a wheelchair, needs constant care and attention, cannot feed himself or perform even the simplest of tasks.
From the age of five until last June this pupil attended a special class in Donegal. Transport to and from the class was organised by the North Western Health Board. Since 1 September he has continued to attend a special class in Donegal, but transport is not being provided at present. His mother has to push the wheelchair almost a mile to school every morning, and walk back home. In the afternoon she has to walk back to the school again to collect her son and push the wheelchair back along the same route. This means that she has to walk approximately four miles per day, or 20 miles a week, to bring her badly handicapped son to and from school.
The whole area is shocked at the obvious negligence by the Department of Education and Science of this boy's educational welfare. Not alone is it stressful in the extreme for the pupil, but it also imposes the most severe hardship on the family, particularly the devoted and dedicated mother who has to push that wheelchair up the steepest hills in Donegal in all kinds of weather. Things will become worse as we enter the winter months. Last week, both mother and son had to travel the route through torrential rain and gales.
This has been the situation since 1 September. I have made numerous representations to the Department of Education and Science, so far without success. The latest excuse from the Department is that there is no suitably adapted vehicle in the Donegal town area to accommodate the wheelchair. The only concession offered by the Department is a transport grant not exceeding £150 per year. That simply adds insult to injury.
I appeal to the Minister to cut the bureaucracy and red tape and restore transport entitlement to this pupil from next Monday morning. The Department has had more than two months to prepare for this situation. I understand it was aware in May that this situation would arise, which means it had five or six months. Is this an example of how we are to treat our handicapped? It is past time for excuses. What we need now is action.
