Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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189. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if school transport will be provided to a pupil (details supplied) who is starting secondary school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22489/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, 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) for any applications made under the scheme. 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.

An application for the pupil in question was received and processed for the 2024/25 school year as they are currently attending the school referenced. Sanction also issued to the school for a School Bus Escort. The Department of Education approve and issue grant funding to schools for the employment of School Bus Escorts. School Bus Escorts are employed by each school through School Management Authorities.

Bus Éireann have advised that the pupil can be accommodated on an existing service to the school. However, she has not yet commenced on transport as there is no escort on the service yet. It is understood that the school are currently in the process of recruiting an escort.

I, as Minister, 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 (STG). This is paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place. It is intended to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements that the family had to put in place during that time. The family will be contacted directly by the Department’s School Transport Section, and offered this grant.

If the family has any further queries regarding the STG, they can contact officials in the School Transport Section of the Department, who will be happy to assist. Queries can be sent to School Transport Section through their Customer Service Portal