Written answers
Thursday, 23 March 2023
Department of Education and Skills
School Transport
Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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260. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 441 of 28 September 2021, and subsequent correspondence received from her Department sanctioning the transportation of a disabled child who is a full-time wheelchair user (details supplied) by the school bus service to a respite centre on the required days; if her Department will contact the school bus service concerned to confirm that the sanction is in place until such time as they are told otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14386/23]
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 of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
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.
As the Deputy is aware, School Transport Section had previously sanctioned drop off from school to a respite centre for the pupil in question, for one Friday afternoon every 4-6 weeks as is required.
Bus Éireann has now advised that the family have recently requested drop off and collections to and from the respite centre for an additional number of days.
School Transport Section is assessing this request and will liaise the family directly in this regard.
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