121 Mr. Collins asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement on the position with regard to the provision of a school transport for a person (details supplied) in County Limerick to attend special classes in Scoil Mháthair Dé, Limerick.

My Department provides transport facilities for children attending special schools and classes where this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

The child in question resides 28.4 miles from the school and there is no service from the area of his home to Limerick.

Due to the high cost of providing transport in this case, my Department is not in a position to sanction a service.

As an alternative, I have arranged for the sanction of a transport grant for the parents of the child in question.