John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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251. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for school transport by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26920/19]

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 kilometres annually.

I am pleased to advise that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport and my Department has sanctioned a school transport service; Bus Éireann are currently liaising with the school authorities and the family in relation to the establishment of this service.

In the meantime, the parents may avail of a ‘Special Transport Grant’ towards the cost of making private transport arrangements until the commencement of the service.