Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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195. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an application for a transfer of school by a person (details supplied) will be decided upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2774/18]

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

Currently over 115,000 children, including almost 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 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 school transport where 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.

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

The child in question was eligible for school transport.

Under the terms of the Scheme services may be withdrawn and/or replaced with an alternative service/grant where circumstances change. A change in existing circumstances includes a change of address or attendance at a different school.

School Transport Section of my Department has not received an application for school transport to the school now being attended by the child.

On receipt of such an application, the matter will be examined.