Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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227. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a school bus service will be available for a pupil (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54212/25]

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.

Unfortunately, difficulties have arisen in a number of locations, with a small number of contracted services, where it has not yet been possible to provide vehicles/drivers.

I am pleased to advise that a contract has now been awarded to operate the service referred to by the Deputy. The Bus Éireann local office has advised that this service will commence on the 08 October.

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 (STG). 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 School Transport Section in my department has provided details of the grant to the family.