Complaint

A parent of a child with a diagnosis of autism and an uncontrolled seizure pattern contacted the Office regarding the lack of school transport for the child. The parent stated that both the school and the Department of Education and Skills shared the view that the child was eligible for school transport but the child was not availing of the service due to issues regarding the ongoing responsibility and resources involved regarding the bus escort.

Examination

On examination of the case, the Office found that the child was part of a group of children with special needs who had been referred to the school by the NCSE. Difficulties arose further to this referral concerning school transport provided to these children as this service was historically provided in the particular school by Enable Ireland.

In its response, the school advised it had agreed to take on the bus escort services from Enable Ireland and that steps had been taken in this regard to provide redress to the children affected.

The Department acknowledged the issue which had arisen regarding the employment of an escort by the school for the transport service sanctioned.

Outcome

Further to the Office’s intervention, the Department provided a transport grant to the child’s parent pending resolution of the matter for the days the child had attended school from the commencement of the 2010/2011 school-year

Posted in: Investigations Transport