Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Education and Skills

School Transport

Photo of Pádraig O'SullivanPádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

583. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if school transport for a child (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1099/25]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

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. Bus Éireann has advised the pupil has been on transport since October 2022. The pupil's service stopped on 06 December 2024 due to the driver not being available. They further advised that there are no other existing services that can accommodate the pupil at this time. However, a new driver has now been sourced, and arrangements are currently being finalised to re-commence the service. The local Bus Éireann office will contact the family when a start date is available.

Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore apply for the Interim Special Transport Grant which is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service resumes and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised.

School Transport Section of my Department has contacted the parent directly offering the Interim Special Transport Grant.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.