Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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89. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if pupils attending special classes in primary school who have been eligible for special transport arrangements will, in all circumstances, be entitled to similar transport for their attendance at special classes at second level, particularly where there are no special classes available within their secondary school catchment areas and where they would be categorised as concessionary pupils for school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50515/22]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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90. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review the matter regarding eligibility for school transport for pupils who are transitioning from primary to post-primary schools who have been attending special classes in primary school and for whom there are no special classes available within their catchment area at post-primary and who are therefore obliged to attend as concessionary pupils for public transport at units outside of their catchment area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50516/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 90 together.

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. 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 purpose of the “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.

The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education 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, my 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.

A new application should be submitted when a pupil changes school and my Department considers the report of the SENO with regard to availability of schools at the time of enrolment.

If a family have any queries with regard to eligibility for school transport, they should contact my School Transport Section directly at school_transport@education.gov.ie.