£384k spent taxiing special schools pupils

THE Western Education and Library Board (WELB) spent £384,000 transporting pupils to special schools by taxi over the past three years.

The costs incurred were the lowest of any board across Northern Ireland falling from 121,000 in 2006/7 to 110,000 in 2007/8 before rising again to 153,000 in 2008/9.

Education Minister Caitrona Ruane advised pupils were only transported by taxi where a child had specific needs; bus transport was unsuitable; specialist pupil conditions applied; all space has been utilised on Board buses; no Board or private vehicles were in operation to certain special schools; and where times allocated by the schools were outside of normal school times.

Responding to a question by Foyle MLA Mark Durkan the Minister also said that escorts and drivers were being vetted.