Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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321. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when school transport will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41571/24]

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 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.

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.

I am pleased to advise that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme. However, Bus Éireann has advised that there is no existing service available to accommodate the child referred.

Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Since there is currently no existing school transport service available, School Transport Section has offered a Special Transport Grant (STG) to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements.

School Transport Section of my Department has engaged with the family and officials are awaiting information from the family in relation to their application for transport.

Bus Éireann carry out a procurement tender competition for any new service in line with procurement guidelines and, once a contractor has been sourced, the service will commence. Bus Éireann will liaise with families directly with regard to this matter at that stage.