Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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149. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will address an urgent matter regarding school transport (details supplied); if she is aware that the bus transporting six children to the school is no longer operational; if she will outline what immediate measures can be taken to ensure these children have access to school transport while a replacement service is arranged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55645/25]

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 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.

Bus Eireann has advised that the route did not operate from the 06.10.2025. Suitable cover has been sourced and this service recommenced on the 14.10.2025

Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting or temporarily without transport for students with special educational needs. School Transport Section will contact the families affected to offer them a special transport grant to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements, while they were without a service.