Results 101-120 of 6,570 for speaker:Michael Moynihan

Seanad: School Transport: Statements (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I am delighted to be here to share an update on school transport with Seanad Éireann. As the House will be aware, the school transport scheme is a hugely significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. As a TD for many years and now as Minister of State with responsibility in the area, I have seen at first hand how important the...

Seanad: School Transport: Statements (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I thank the Senators for their contributions on the school transport system. In the first instance, the school transport system as it stands carries over 178,000 children, with 8,200 vehicles travelling over 10,000 routes. I pay tribute to the bus drivers the length and breadth of the country who are up early in the morning to make sure children get to school. What they do is important. I...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes, including the issuing of tickets. Bus Éireann have advised that two tickets issued by post on 04 September 2025 to the address provided by the Deputy. If the family have still not received their tickets they can call Bus Éireann’s Customer Call Centre at 0818 919 910, Monday to...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. At the outset, it's important to state that both the department and Bus Éireann acknowledges and appreciates the role of Oireachtas members in making representations on behalf of their constituents, and indeed recognise the role of Oireachtas members...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. My department works closely with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) on the forward planning of new special classes and additional special school places. Building on...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. Already over 178,000 tickets have issued for the 2025/2026 school year, which is over 5,000 additional tickets when compared with the 2024/2025 school year. As part of the recommendations of Review 2030, a Review of the School Transport Scheme, a number...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The School Transport 2030 report was published in early 2024 following a comprehensive analysis and review of the scheme as it currently operates. The recommended changes to the future operation of the schemes include expansion of the current eligibility criteria, addressing current operational challenges and moving towards better integration with public transport to ensure the best value for...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 419 and 420 together. The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. Changes as recommended in the review will take time and careful planning to implement. The recommended action as part of the review is to implement any changes on a phased basis. It was outlined at the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of my Department. Safety of children travelling on the school transport services is of paramount importance to the Department and to Bus Éireann. Bus...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. In order to support the NCSE and forward planning, my department published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of measures...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 423 and 424 together. The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. ...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: In relation to the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, a parent/guardian may avail of a Special Transport Grant (STG) for a child with special educational needs. A school transport application under the scheme must have been made before the STG can be considered. Where the provision of a reasonable level of transport service is not possible, the STG may be...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: Under the current terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an appropriate education is a priority for this Government. It is also a key priority for me, my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers. Where children with more complex needs...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: By the end of this year there will be close to 21,000 special educational teachers and over 23,000 special needs assistants (SNAs) in our mainstream classes, special classes and special schools. This will mean we will have over 44,000 teachers and SNAs working in our education system committed to supporting and nurturing children with special educational needs, enabling them to achieve their...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education and Youth on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: National Council for Special Education (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 437, 438 and 441 together. This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. SNAs play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs in schools...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 439 and 440 together. This government is fully committed to supporting children with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective. SNAs play a central role in the successful inclusion of students with additional and significant care needs in schools by...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport (30 Sep 2025)

Michael Moynihan: Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes. Bus Éireann endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service in the context of the Scheme nationally. Bus Éireann are required to tender services in line with procurement guidelines and are responsible for the...