Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a transport grant for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33574/16]

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

Currently in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.

Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.

The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport and my Department will be in contact with the family regarding a Special Transport Grant to cover the cost of private transport arrangements from the commencement of the 2016/17 school year.