James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for their most informative and interesting presentation, some of which I have had the opportunity to read. I agree that the choice for parents of children with disabilities or special needs who live in rural areas is very much limited. Ms Dempsey referred to individual schools and how they managed. What is not taken into consideration, particularly in rural areas, is the huge level of voluntarism on the part of parents, etc. School boards of management also provide wonderful assistance and support for children with special needs in the areas to which I refer.

There is a need for more joined-up thinking in the various sections within the Department, particularly the transport section. Parents know what is best for their children and are aware of what is the most suitable school for them, in geographical and other terms. They often make decisions in this regard in consultation with their children's teachers. The Department often cannot take on board all of the various considerations in individual cases. Therefore, there should be a greater level of consultation with both it and the HSE, from which a mobility grant of €208 per month is available. I am surprised by the number of parents in rural areas who cannot obtain this grant for their children.

Parents in rural areas cannot access that grant because they have great difficulty meeting the criteria set for it. This area should be examined. Often there is not a proper transport service in an area and parents have to go out of their way to bring their children to school.