Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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179. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure the provision of school transport for a pupil (details supplied). [47626/22]

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

The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.

Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of SENOs.

A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if s/he is attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education criteria.

I am pleased to advise that the children referred to by the Deputy are eligible under the terms of the scheme. Bus Eireann has advised that these pupils commenced on transport from 20/09/2022.