Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

234. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will recommend steps, including the use of trackers, cameras and chaperones, to the HSE to protect disabled children travelling unsupervised on transport services to and from their homes and service providers to schools, hospitals, residential homes or other care facilities to safeguard them against potential criminal behaviour, including physical or sexual abuse. [24452/17]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. Bus Éireann is responsible for a range of activity regarding the operation of the school transport system including the procurement of contractors to provide transport services.

Safety of children travelling on the school transport service is of paramount importance to my Department and to Bus Éireann. Bus Éireann place special emphasis on safety and, to this end, have a wide range of checking procedures in place to ensure that a safe and reliable service is provided.

This Department allocates funding to schools, for the employment of escorts to accompany special educational needs children who are eligible for school transport and whose care and safety needs are such as to require the support of an escort.

All nominated school transport drivers and escorts are subject to vetting procedures conducted by the Garda Central Vetting Unit.

The transportation of children to and from their homes and service providers to  hospitals, residential homes or other care facilities is not the responsibility of my Department. Questions relating to such matters should be referred to my colleague the Minister for Health.