Written answers

Tuesday, 2 April 2019

Department of Education and Skills

School Transport Provision

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the assistance available for the provision of transport for a special needs child to attend a specialised preschool (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14875/19]

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.

There are currently over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, transported in over 5,000 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 school transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.

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

School Transport Section has not received an application for school transport for the child referred to by the Deputy.  However, it should be noted that the facility in question is not a recognised school and therefore transport cannot be provided under the terms of the School Transport Scheme.

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