John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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557. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the application for private school transportation for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46781/24]

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 current school year over 172,500 children, are transported daily in approximately 7,900 vehicles across 10,300 routes daily to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. These daily trips cover over 100 million kilometres. This figure includes over 143,800 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 21,700 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.

The scheme is made up of three separate schemes, the school transport scheme for primary, post primary and for children with special educational needs. Transport is also provided for children who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine and those residing in IPAS/EROC centres.

The total expenditure on the scheme in 2024 was €512m.

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.

Sanction has been sent by School Transport Section of my Department to Bus Éireann for the establishment of an individual service for pupil referred to by the Deputy. Sanction has also issued to the school for an escort to be appointed to meet the pupil’s needs on board the service.

Bus Éireann are now required to carry out a tender for this service in line with procurement guidelines. Once a contractor has been sourced and the school has appointed an escort, the service will commence. Bus Éireann will liaise with the family directly with regard to this matter at that stage.