Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1048. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address the difficulties faced by schools in Kerry in recruiting and retaining bus escorts for children with additional needs; and if this responsibility can be taken out of the hands of school principals. [41383/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, 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.

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

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

A review of the School Transport Scheme has been completed. This review was conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness, and sustainability and to ensure it services students and their families adequately. As a recommended action arising from the review, the Department committed to continuing the comprehensive analysis of matters as they relate to the escort's pay, and the information provided to schools as the employer of the escort.

The work regarding the employment of School Bus Escorts has been completed and an information pack has issued to schools.

The commitment to review pay rates for Bus Escorts has also been completed. A circular issued to schools on 04 November 2024 to advise that the increased rate of pay for escorts has been set at €15.20 per hour from 01 October 2024. A further information note issued to schools advising that the revised hourly rate effective from 1st March 2025 is €15.50 per hour.

An administration fee of 5% of all hours worked by all school bus escorts is included in the escort grant payment which is paid to the Board of Management/ETB solely for the administration of the escort employment. This charge is intended to assist schools in defraying the cost of administering the employment of Escorts in their school.