Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

158. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the policy of her Department in providing bus escorts on school buses; the proportion of buses on which they are employed; and the process by which a person may apply for such a position. [42285/14]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Escorts are not a feature of school transport services operating under my Department's Primary or Post Primary School Transport Schemes.

However, under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs children are eligible for transport where they:

- have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability in accordance with the designation of high and low incidence disability set out in Department of Education and Skill's (DES) Circular 02/05 and

- 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 Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).

The SENO will advise the Department, where s/he is aware, by reference to Department criteria, from relevant professional reports or through information supplied by the School Authorities that a child's care and safety needs are such as to require the support of an escort. The Department allocates funding to schools, for the employment of such escorts to accompany these children. In general, escorts are employed by the Boards of Management of schools and there are currently some 1,500 escorts employed by over 400 schools nationally. Individuals wishing to apply for positions as escorts should liaise with the school authorities in the locations where they are seeking employment.