Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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933. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18335/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

The purpose of the Department's 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.

In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest school that is 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 (SENO).

Based on the information on the application form, the child referred to by the Deputy is not attending their nearest school that is resourced to meet their special educational needs, and is therefore not eligible for Special Educational Needs Transport. School Transport Section has been in contact wtih the family in this regard.