Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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414. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if school transport will be provided for students attending a school (details supplied), and particularly for a school leaver who will attend this school in September; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25148/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Regarding the specific case raised, an application has not been received to date for the pupil referred to by the Deputy.

The parent/guardian should contact their school principal who will assist in making an application for school transport to the SENO that is affiliated with the school.

For additional context, under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.

A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised: mainstream school or special class/special school, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education and Youth criteria.

Eligibility is determined following consultation with the NCSE through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).

Applications for pupil who are eligible for the scheme are processed by the School Transport Section in my Department and forwarded to Bus Éireann who then review the available transport options.