Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

145. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a bus service with a bus assistant will be provided for a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27604/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department.

In the 2019/2020 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €219m in 2019.

The purpose of the School Transport Scheme for children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.

I am pleased to advise that the child in question is eligible for school transport and Bus Éireann is currently sourcing an individual service to provide transport to and from school; they will liaise directly with the family in this regard.

There is a facility within the Special Needs Transport Scheme for the appointment of a School Bus Escort where a child’s care and safety needs while on school transport are such to require the support of an escort. 

An escort has been sanctioned to support  the pupil refrerred to in attending school and the school which the pupil attends has been requested to appoint an escort.