Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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589. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review an application by a person (details supplied) for the special education school grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55102/22]

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, 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, 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.

Bus Éireann has confirmed that the pupil to which the Deputy refers is eligible under the terms of the scheme and on the 16th of August 2021, the pupil was sanctioned to be accommodated on an existing school transport service for the 2021/22 School Year.

Families of children who are eligible for these services may in exceptional circumstances apply to be considered for the Special Transport Grant, which is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families who cannot utilise an existing available service.

The School Transport Section of my Department has received a request from the family referred to by the Deputy for consideration of Special Transport Grant in lieu of the available service in respect of the 2021/22 School Year. This matter is currently under consideration and a decision will be made following consultation with Bus Eireann and a thorough assessment of the circumstances.

School Transport Section have contacted the family in this regard and will revert to the family directly once a determination has been made.