Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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178. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills why he has cut transport to a school (details supplied); if he will restore this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14388/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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The purpose of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.

Children with special educational needs are eligible for 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.

My Department is not aware of any cuts in bus services under the School Transport Scheme.

Furthermore, Bus Éireann which operates the scheme on behalf of my Department has advised that a number of additional children have been facilitated with school transport since 1 September 2015.