Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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257. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when funding will be provided following approval of a transport place for a person (details supplied) in order that the person can be transported from the residence to the education setting and supporting the person's additional needs and requirements. [23625/19]

John 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 km annually.

Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.

Special Schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.  At that point, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over 18 years.

In light of the above, the person referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs.