Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

478. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will consider addressing issues on the lack of certainty around work hours for special transport assistants (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48037/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, 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 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.

The Board of Management/ETB, as the employer has responsibility for keeping up to date and complying with policies and legislation relating to terms and conditions of employment. Amongst its obligations, the Employer (Board of Management/ETB) must provide the employee with a contract of employment which must include minimum information as prescribed by the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994.

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.