Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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228. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) in relation to school transport. [26468/16]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.

In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school or unit that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs under Department of Education and Skills' criteria.

Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers.

The provision of therapeutic services such as Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychological Services etc. which are matters for the Health Service Executive are not a factor in identifying the nearest recognised placement for transport eligibility purposes.

In this case, it does not seem that the child in question is attending the nearest school that is resourced to meet her special educational needs and is therefore not eligible for school transport.

However, my Department will review the case in question.