Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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988. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the ongoing demand from school transport escorts for fair pay and conditions, to reflect the importance of their work for young people with disabilities and their families; and her views on whether it is acceptable that school transport escorts have to sign on for social welfare supports during school holidays. [46760/25]

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 and Youth.

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 and Youth 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 underway by School Transport Section regarding the employment of school bus escorts has been completed and an information pack has issued to schools. This pack is updated on an ongoing basis.

The commitment to review pay rates for school bus escorts has also been completed. Since then, the rate of pay for escorts was increased to €15.20 per hour from 01 October 2024. It was further increased to €15.50 per hour effective from 01 March 2025. The most recent pay rate effective from 01 August 2025 is €15.66.

The Department of Social Protection is responsible for the payment of jobseeker's benefits or allowances. Temporary Education Sector Workers (ESW), who have previously been in contact with the Department of Social Protection are issued with a repeat jobseekers application form and a holiday form in advance of school holiday periods. This advance process allows DSP to facilitate a more efficient service. Any queries relating to this process can be directed to the Department of Social Protection.