Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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74. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a student (details supplied) with special needs will be provided with school transportation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20866/21]

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.

Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

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). 

An application for transport on the Post-Primary Transport Scheme was received for the child referred to by the Deputy. As the family paid late for this service, they were unsuccessful in obtaining a ticket for the 2020/21 school year.

However, in light of the information received, School Transport Section is liaising with Bus Éireann and will contact the family directly in regard to their application.