Vol. 533 No. 3
323 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 8 March 2001, he will provide information on whether a similar situation has arisen elsewhere in relation to the employment of escorts; if the matter was resolved; how it was resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8875/01]
The special school transport service involves a total of 586 individual routes serving 153 schools catering for children with special needs. Funding has been provided to facilitate the appointment of escorts on all of these routes.
In a number of cases individual routes cater for children attending more than one school. In such situations it has generally been the case that these shared arrangements have operated without difficulty.
Where issues have arisen in relation to the employment of escorts on routes involving more than one school, matters have generally been resolved at local level on the basis of a co-operative approach among the school authorities involved. Where necessary, my Department is prepared to assist in resolving such difficulties including, if necessary, arranging to transfer escort funding to an alternative school.
