Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

307. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the school transport section will approve an application for school transport for a child (details supplied) with special educational needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21465/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, a pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class or special school , that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education criteria.

Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).

There was a 30% increase in the number of special educational transport journeys from 2019 to the 2022/2023 school year.

New applications for the 2024/2025 school year will be catered for through a mix of new services (some being individual), children being accommodated on existing services where capacity exists, extensions of existing routes and grants to families.

An application for pupil in question has recently been received in the School Transport Section in my Department. I am pleased to advise that this pupil has been deemed eligible to the school they are attending and a request has been sent to Bus Eireann to provide a report on this matter. Bus Éireann and School Transport Section of my Department will liaise with the family directly with regard to this matter when the details have been received.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

308. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will look into a case (details supplied) where a student who has a dual diagnosis of Down’s Syndrome and autism has no school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21477/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 travelling 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.

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

I am pleased to advise that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the terms of the scheme and a sanction has been sent by School Transport Section of my Department to Bus Éireann for the establishment of a new service.

Bus Éireann have tendered this service in line with procurement guidelines. Bus Éireann has advised that the service is still out for procurement. Once a contractor has been sourced, the service will commence. Bus Éireann will liaise with the family directly one a contractor has been sourced.

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 interim 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 have been contacted directly by School Transport Section of my Department, with an offer of the Special Transport Grant until the transport service commences.