James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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360. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on school transport for a student with special educational needs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65304/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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Bus Éireann is responsible for the planning and timetabling of school transport routes on behalf of my Department, including routes under the scheme for pupils with Special Educational Needs.

I am pleased to advise that the Department has given sanction to Bus Éireann to establish a new service to cater for the pupil referred to by the Deputy. Bus Éireann will now tender the service in line with procurement guidelines. The local office will contact the parent of the child in question directly when the service is ready to commence. The parent can avail of an interim special transport grant while they are waiting for the service, the parent has been provided with information relating to the grant.