Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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131. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the summer special needs education package for July 2021 will include budgetary provision for additional payments to bus drivers whose normal employment practice does not include summer working; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29901/21]

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. 

Private contractors under contract to Bus Éireann who provide SEN transport services under the Summer Programme will employ drivers on those services who will be paid in the normal manner for the time worked.