Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)

Under the terms of the school transport scheme of the Department of Education and Skills, a pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if he or she is attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class, special school or unit that is or can be resourced to meet the child's special educational needs under the Department's criteria. To date, the process of identifying such a school has involved the National Council for Special Education, which advises on this matter. Circular NCSE 03/08 provides that responsibility for deciding on the quantum of educational supports and resources to be allocated to individual schools or individual children lies with the council through its special education needs organisers. Health service staff do not have any responsibility for the allocation of educational resources or supports to schools or individual children. Transport is provided following receipt of advice from the National Council for Special Education in relation to the relevant school. The Department and the council intend to bring greater clarity and transparency to the process of identifying the nearest school. A code of practice to provide guidance on this issue will be prepared with the assistance of the council's consultative forum in the coming months.

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