Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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511. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review correspondence (details supplied); if she will issue a school transport ticket; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52046/25]

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.

The pupil referred to is eligible under the terms of the above scheme. Bus Éireann has advised that transport commenced for this pupil on 22 September 2025.

Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for children with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore receive an interim Special Transport Grant. This is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place and is intended to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until the service starts.

The family have been contacted directly by an official in the School Transport Section and provided with details of the grant.