John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 472: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the grants or assistance which will be given to the parents of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in order to provide appropriate school transport for them; if the matter will be investigated and a solution provided. [4314/06]

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 512: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the action she intends to take regarding a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if appropriate transport will be provided for this person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4315/06]

Síle de Valera (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 472 and 512 together.

Grant assistance towards the cost of private school transport arrangements for the person referred to by the Deputy was approved by my Department in October 2003, to take effect from the 2003-04 school year. On 19 January 2005, on receipt of a further application in respect of this person, my Department approved the provision of a wheelchair-accessible transport service to the school concerned through Bus Éireann which organises the school transport scheme on behalf of my Department. It is understood, however, that the person's parents declined this offer on the grounds that the pick-up time of 8.45 a.m. was too early.

It is considered by my Department that all reasonable efforts have been made to facilitate the person concerned with a suitable transport service. The offer of a suitably adapted service remains available to the parents should they wish to avail of it.