Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 11 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 5

Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.

Gerry Reynolds

Question:

86 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science the current state of development of the escort scheme for pupils with particular special needs; the number of applications on hand that have not yet been approved; the remuneration involved for such escorts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21425/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods):

My Department has allocated funding of £2.2 million to schools in the current school year to facilitate the provision of an escort service on every special school transport route carrying pupils to special schools and special classes. The service in question involves a total of 594 individual routes serving 153 schools.

Funding has been allocated to the relevant schools on the basis of an annual payment of £4,995 per escort.

The number of transport routes in place can vary during the school year as additional provision for children with special needs comes on stream. Since funding was originally allocated for the current school year, a further eight special transport routes have been approved. Arrangements are currently being made in my Department to allocate funding to the schools in question to facilitate the appointment of escorts on those routes. Funding will also be made available for any further routes which may be established.

A number of schools expressed reservations about undertaking responsibility for the escort scheme when it was first introduced in September 1999. However, I am pleased to say that many of the schools in question have since proceeded to implement the scheme and that escorts are now in place on the great majority of routes.

I compliment the schools for their commitment in putting in place the escort scheme for their pupils. As previously indicated in the House, I am in no doubt that the school authorities, who are familiar with their children's needs and behaviours, are best placed to ensure the successful operation of the escort scheme.

I have requested my officials to consider further the concerns which have been expressed by some schools regarding the administrative burden involved in operating the scheme and the adequacy of the current rate of payment for escorts. My objective is to ensure that the commitment shown by schools in undertaking the operation of this important scheme will be supported by my Department.