Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach arís. The matter I wish to raise, school transport, is part of the Minister of State's brief and concerns a specific situation with which I am dealing in County Clare. It concerns a young child starting second level school in September who experienced systematic bullying in primary school. The medical evidence and doctor's certificates on this case are available to the Minister. The bullies that caused the problem will attend the school nearest and the bullied child will travel elsewhere. However, the rules of the transport scheme are that an allowance will not be provided unless the pupil is attending the nearest possible school. There must be exceptions and this should be one of them. This child will be far better served in terms of his education need if she goes to a post-primary school a little further away that will not be attended by the bullies. Then she will have some chance of being able to settle into school and of having the same opportunities as her peers.

I understand full well that the scheme must have rules. However, there are exceptional circumstances. On compassionate grounds, I appeal to the Minister of State to use his good offices to make an exception in this case, given the medical evidence is there.