Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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76. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the transport grant support available in respect of special needs children of pre-school age attending early intervention units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42863/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Under the terms of my Department's School Transport scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs arising from a diagnosed disability, children are eligible for transport where they: 1. have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability in accordance with the designation of high and low incidence disability set out in Department of Education and Skill's (DES) Circular 02/05; and 2. are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class/special school or a unit, 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.

A Special Transport Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements may be provided at the discretion of the Department in situations where a child's age, behavioural difficulties or medical needs are such as to make the provision of a transport service impracticable. These grants will only be considered for the school year in which an application for transport is received.