Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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643. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will provide transport for a person (details supplied) with an intellectual disability to attend a school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43056/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020. 

Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for school transport where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability and  are attending the nearest recognised school/class 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.

Bus Éireann has confirmed that the pupil referred to by Deputy availed of a service under the School Transport Scheme for children with Special Education Needs up to the end of the 2020/21 school year while they attended the school referred to by the Deputy.

School Transport Section understands that the pupil is no longer attending the above referenced school as a post primary school pupil.  

Special Schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year. At that point, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over 18 years.

If the family has any further queires on this matter they can contact the School Transport Section of my Department directly.