Parents of pupils who are eligible for transport assistance and who are attending their nearest suitable school geographically but, cannot travel on their normal transport mode for a period due to a diagnosed medical need, can request for their mode of transport to be reviewed. Please note that new routes, or services, will not be established and EA may instead award a parental payment.
In order to apply for Alternative Transport Assistance due to a medical needs pupils must fulfil the following criteria:
(a) Already be in receipt of Transport Assistance; and
(b) Attend the nearest suitable school by distance.
In order to establish the above criteria have been met all applications will be checked against EA school admissions preferences for the pupil.
There are 2 types of applications.
Short Term or Interim Medical Need (Up to 6 weeks)
Pupils who require alternative Home to School Transport Assistance for a temporary period. Typical examples of short term medical conditions would be an ankle fracture or post –operative procedures in which the child is expected to make a full recovery within a dedicated time period.
Upon submission of the online application and completed medical questionnaire from your Child’s GP your application will then be referred to the Transport Operations Service for consideration and a response will be issued to you within 10 working days.
To apply for short term transport assistance you will need to complete the Medical Questionnaire and the Online Application Form.
You will have the to option to attach this form to the online application above.
Long Term or Chronic Medical Need
Pupils who requires alternative Home to School Transport Assistance for an unspecified period of time. An example of a long term medical condition would be any condition that impacts on the child’s mobility and therefore ability to use the current transport provision for an unspecified period of time.
Upon submission of the online application and completed medical questionnaire from your Child’s Consultant your application will then be referred to the Transport Operations Service for consideration and a response will be issued to you within 10 working days.
To apply for long term transport assistance you will need to complete the Medical Questionnaire and the Online Application Form.
You will have the to option to attach this form to the online application above.
Please note that until a decision has been formally communicated you will remain responsible for ensuring your Child’s home to school transport provision.
Furthermore, in line with the requirements of the Department of Education Transport Circular 1996/41, the EA remains under no obligation to provide door-to-door transport assistance and reserves the right to offer a parental payment as a form of transport assistance.
All alternative Home to School Transport which has been granted due to a Medical need will be subject to an annual review each July.
If you have any queries or difficulty completing this online form please contact us.