Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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166. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the supports available through his Department to assist a person in financing the cost of transporting a child with a learning disability to a school that specialises in assisting such children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17759/17]

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

Currently almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 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.

The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education and Skills on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.

When considering applications for school transport in respect of pupils with special needs the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO).

School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.