Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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958. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the school transport case of a student (details supplied). [29250/22]

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 121,400 children, including over 15,500 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 €289m in 2021.

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.

The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education and Skills on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.

I am pleased to advise that this pupil has been deemed eligible to the school they are attending and a request has been sent to Bus Eireann to provide a report on this matter. Once details have been received, Bus Éireann and School Transport Section of my Department will liaise with the family directly.