Written answers

Tuesday, 17 April 2018

Department of Education and Skills

School Transport Applications

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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482. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress to date in the determination of application for school transport in the case of a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16794/18]

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

Currently over 116,000 children, including over 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 at a total cost of almost €190 million in 2017.

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

The child in question is eligible for school transport, however, Bus Éireann has advised that there is no existing suitable service available to meet the child's needs.

A Special Transport Grant (STG) towards the cost of private transport arrangements may be provided in situations where Bus Éireann is not in a position to provide a transport service.

Officials in my Department have written to the family in question regarding this matter.

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