Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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179. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on school transport for a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53175/25]

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 National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.

Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).

The pupil in question has been deemed eligible for transport under the school transport scheme for children with special educational needs. Unfortunately, Bus Éireann has reported difficulties in recent weeks in specific locations with a small number of contracted services, where it has not yet been possible to provide vehicles and/or drivers. The pupil referred to is assigned to one of these routes.

These difficulties have arisen in some cases due to lack of driver or contractor availability, or where either zero bids were received for a service, despite repeated efforts to procure one. The Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.

Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Bus Éireann are required to tender services in line with procurement guidelines and are responsible for the allocating and vetting of a contractor to operate this service.

In such circumstances where there is no existing suitable service available to meet a child's needs, and while Bus Éireann are in the process of sourcing a dedicated service, the Department offer a Special Transport Grant (STG) to families of eligible children towards the cost of private transport arrangements based on the number of days attended from the date of application until a suitable dedicated specialised service becomes available.

Work is continuing in order to resolve this matter and Bus Éireann are committed to providing transport to these students as quickly as is possible.

School Transport Section have written to the family concerned regarding the Special Transport Grant