To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) what information is sought from; and (ii) what questions are asked of, medical practitioners by the Education Authority in order to determine the transport needs for children with a statement of special educational needs.

The Education Authority (EA) has advised that when carrying out a statutory assessment of educational needs, under The Education (Special Educational Needs) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 (regulations 6 and 8), the EA seeks advice from the health and social services authority. This advice contains educational, medical, psychological or other features of the nature of the child or young person’s needs (in relation to the advice sought) which appear relevant to their educational needs.

In providing medical advice, recommendations about transport are included only where this is evident that transport will be required i.e. that there is a clear medical need that the child will require assistance with transport.