Written answers
Tuesday, 2 November 2021
Department of Education and Skills
School Transport
Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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511. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a query on school transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52513/21]
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.
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).
The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for transport and a new service was sanctioned to cater for the child. The existing service to a nearby school was not suitable due to time constraints.
Bus Éireann has confirmed the pupil began on the new service Monday 18th October 2021.
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