Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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328. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will engage with Bus Éireann regarding school transport for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41591/24]

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.

The pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the terms of the scheme and approval was given by the School Transport Section of my Department to Bus Éireann to establish a new service.

I am pleased to advise that this service commenced on 10 October 2024.

In such circumstances where there no existing suitable service was available to meet a child's needs, and while Bus Éireann were in the process of sourcing a dedicated service, the Department offers a Special Transport Grant (STG). The grant is intended to assist towards the cost of making private transport arrangements and is based on the number of days attended from the date of application until a suitable dedicated specialised service becomes available. The family have been contacted with the details of the grant.