Written answers

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Department of Education and Skills

School Transport

Photo of Niamh SmythNiamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

563. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a person (details supplied) is struggling with school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53263/21]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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).

Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes and endeavours, within available resources, to ensure that each eligible child has a reasonable level of school transport service.

Bus Éireann has advised that the existing service is an 18 seat vehicle currently catering for 10 pupils, of which 3 pupils use wheelchairs, and 1 escort and that there is sufficient room on board the service. The contractor has removed an extra seat from the service to create more space on board in order to accommodate the needs of the pupils on the service.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.