Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 311 of 15 October 2024, if a contractor will be found to operate this school bus service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45515/24]

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.

As previously advised, this pupil is eligible under the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. My Department has given approval to Bus Éireann to establish a new service.

Bus Éireann have tendered this service in line with procurement guidelines and are in the process of sourcing a new contractor to operate this service. 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.

Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. As advised previously, families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore apply for the interim Special Transport Grant. This is generally paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place. However, the Department will process grant claims received to cover the period September to October inclusive, on receipt of a completed Statement of Attendance Form. The completed form can be sent by email or post to the addresses listed on the form.