Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

435. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify when a child (details supplied) will receive their school transport for academic year 2025/2026 [51273/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.

The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education and Youth on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. 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). 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.

Unfortunately, difficulties have arisen in having services in place for the start of the new school year in some localities with a small number of contracted services and the pupil referred to is assigned to one of those routes.

Children with special educational needs who are eligible under the school transport scheme may avail of the Interim Special Transport Grant. This is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised.

School Transport Section of my department have written to the family referred to by the Deputy regarding this grant.

Bus Éireann is continuing to work intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.