Ms Sarah Heneghan:

With regard to SEN applications, the deadline for notification for enrolments has been announced by the Minister, as the Deputy said. We do not put a deadline on applications for SEN pupils applying for transport for the reason that the diagnosis sometimes comes in mid-year. They would not be eligible until they get their diagnosis and they would then send in the application form. They sometimes would not get a school place until mid-year. We would like to have all the applications in sometime in April to be in line with the mainstream, and that would give Bus Éireann more time to find the services. However, for the purposes of allowing the children to apply all year round, it gives more scope for parents to be able to apply. If the school places are being pushed back and pupils are getting their places earlier in the year, the applications for transport will come in earlier in the year and we will then be able to deal with them. We sanction them as quickly as we can, as soon as the applications come in.