Mary Moran (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State for coming to the Chamber to comment on the ongoing school transport problems experienced by a young lady from my constituency whose details I have submitted. She is 14 years old and has a history of monosomy 21, developmental delay and seizures and she is underweight. She attends a special school where she has settled in very well. Due to her medical condition she wears a back brace. At present the school bus collects her at 7.30 a.m. and she must spend an hour and 15 minutes on it before it arrives at school at 8.45 a.m. As a result the child is exhausted before she even starts school. This excessive journey time has affected her concentration and is hindering her opportunity to learn. Her parents have medical reports which support the opinion the present travel arrangements expose their daughter to additional risks of seizure. When school finishes at 2.45 p.m. the long journey is repeated. Therefore the travel time every day for this young lady is two and a half hours.

This is an unnecessarily long day, particularly for a child who wears a back brace which undoubtedly adds to her discomfort. There is a very simple and cost-effective solution to the issue. Another bus travels 2.6 km from the child's house and leaves later in the morning, which would give her and her family valuable extra time. It travels directly to the school and arrives there in less than 30 minutes. The child's parents have been trying to have their daughter transferred to this bus but so far have been unsuccessful. I spoke to the Bus Éireann inspector who reports he has no objection to the proposal. I appeal for some sensitivity in dealing with school transport for children with special needs. Last year I experienced a similar situation with my child and fully appreciate the frustration this family experiences. For parents to have an extra half an hour to help their child in the morning when that child has special needs is like an extra six hours to somebody else. Allowing this young lady to travel on the other bus would give the family substantially more time with their daughter in the morning to prepare for school and would not entail the pressure and strain in place at present.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Senator and congratulate her for raising a matter on behalf on an individual. They are the people who need most help. If my reply does not deal with the issue I will further it to improve the situation.

I stress that school transport is a very significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills and covering more than 82 million kilometres annually. Approximately 113,000 children, including more than 8,000 children with special educational needs, are transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

Under the terms of the Department's school transport scheme for children with special educational needs, children are eligible for school transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of special education needs organisers. The child referred to by the Senator is not attending her nearest school and is, therefore, not eligible for school transport. She is availing of transport on a concessionary basis. Under the terms of the scheme, routes cannot be extended nor can additional cost be incurred in facilitating children availing of concessionary transport.

However, Bus Éireann has advised that, following consultations with the school, parent and bus contractor, a later pick-up time on the morning service has been agreed. This arrangement commenced in May and Bus Éireann is continuing to monitor the situation.

Mary Moran (Labour)
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I am disappointed with this response. I had raised the issue before with the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, and submitted it to the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Cannon, as it was a school transport issue. It is important issues involving special educational needs are examined sensitively. I will pursue the matter further.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Over the years I have found Bus Éireann to be very helpful and co-operative in this area. I suggest the Senator brings it up with Bus Éireann.

Mary Moran (Labour)
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I have spoken with the inspector involved who is more than happy to take the child on the alternative bus.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Perhaps if the Senator went back to the inspector, I will broker a deal if I can. It is worth following as I have found Bus Éireann to be helpful in difficult circumstances.

Mary Moran (Labour)
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I agree. I have found its officials are more than willing to help.

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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If the Senator wants to keep in contact with me on this matter, I will do my bit. We have from now until 1 September. Sometimes a break comes when one keeps at it. The point is not to give in.