Vol. 458 No. 2
116 Dr. McDaid asked the Minister for Education the number of special schools in the country; the number of special schools in County Donegal; and the overall number of school bus escorts nationally and in County Donegal. [16735/95]
There is a total of 115 special schools in the county, two of which are in County Donegal. One of those schools caters for mildly mentally handicapped pupils and the other for moderately mentally handicapped pupils.
In the current year I allocated £150,000 to a pilot scheme for the introduction of escorts on certain school transport services. Applications for support under the pilot scheme are currently being considered by my Department and I expect that successful applicants will be notified in the near future.
In some instances, escort duties are already undertaken by child care assistants employed in special schools. However, precise details on the extent of such local arrangements are not readily available.
