Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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504. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount that will issue to a family (details supplied) in relation to the special transport interim grant; and when the grant will issue. [56690/23]

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 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils traveling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.

There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.

Bus éireann, who operate the School Transport Schemes on behalf of the Department, has advised a number of difficulties have arisen in putting services in place for the start of the new school year in some localities with a small number of contracted services. However, they are working to ensure that transport arrangements are in place as soon as possible.

The Interim Special Transport Grant has been offered to the family to assist with the cost of alternative transport arrangements for the duration they have been without a school transport service..

The rate of grant payable will be calculated as follows; 39.12 cent per kilometre for the first 6,437 kilometres and 21.22 cent per kilometre thereafter. Transport grants are payable from the date your application was made.

This grant is calculated based on the number of days a child attends schoolwhich is confirmed by the school completing a statement of attendance form. This form must be signed by the school principal and forwarded to the School Transport Section in advance of any payment being made. If the family has any queries on the issue they can contact the School Transport Section at school_transport@education.gov.ie.

Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent)
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505. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when school transport for children with special educational needs will be reinstated for a student (details supplied) currently attending a school who has had no transport supports for the past seven weeks and who is not attending school as a direct result of having no transport supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56704/23]

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 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils traveling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.

The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.

Under the current terms of the scheme, a pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are attending their nearest recognised mainstream school, special class, special school or unit, that is or can be resourced to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education criteria.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. When considering applications for school transport in respect of pupils with special educational needs the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO).

I am pleased to advise that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the terms of the scheme and Bus éireann is continuing to try and ensure transport arrangements can be sourced and put in place as soon as possible. The family will be contacted directly once a contractor and vehicle have been sourced for this route.

Both the Department and Bus éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore apply for the Special Transport Grant which is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised. The family of the child referred will be contacted directly by School Transport Section of my Department with an offer of the Special Transport Grant until the transport service commences.