Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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310. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a child (details supplied) in County Cavan was not granted free transport; if the child will be granted free transport upon moving to a new school in September to facilitate their educational needs; the criteria for accessing free school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27737/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Bus Éireann, which operates the School Transport Scheme on behalf of my Department, has advised that it did not receive an application for school transport for the child in question for the current school year. Children with special educational needs are eligible for free school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs under Department of Education and Skills' criteria.

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. An application for school transport for the 2013/14 school year for the child in question was received by my Department yesterday, 10th June. This application will be considered having regard to the advice of the SENO.