228 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has to extend the special transport grant to cover all the mileage involved in the case of children attending special classes or schools in Northern Ireland and not just to the Border in view of the way in which the current scheme operates. [12862/97]

Under the terms and conditions of the school transport scheme administered by my Department, transport grants are only available in respect of mileage within the State.