James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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122. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the provision of substitute bus escorts for special needs students on school transport when their escort is not available (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45539/24]

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.

There is a facility within the Special Educational Needs Transport Scheme for the appointment of a School Transport Escort where a child’s care and safety needs while on school transport are such as to require the support of a School Transport Escort.

The Department of Education provides grant funding for the employment of the School Transport Escort and sets the rate of pay. The Board of Management/ETB are responsible for the employment of the School Transport Escort.

It is recognised that School Transport Escorts play a vital role in supporting children with Special Educational Needs in their journey to and from school.

As the Board of Management/ETB is the employer of the School Transport Escort, it is the responsibility of the employer to keep up to date and comply with legislation relating to leave entitlements, terms and conditions of employment, etc. This includes ensuring the employee is issued an employment contract which generally includes for matters related to leave, e.g., annual leave, maternity Leave, and other leave entitlements. My Department can, where appropriate, issue additional grant funding for the employment of a substitute escort while an escort is on leave.

My Department recently issued a document - “Information Note – School Transport Escorts” to all schools, which provides information on employment related matters for bus escorts. This document will be reviewed and updated regularly.