Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016
460. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a special needs transport grant in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25672/16]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country, covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised mainstream or special school that is or can be resourced, to meet their special educational needs under Department of Education and Skills' criteria.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
The School Transport Section of my Department has not received an application for school transport for the child in question.
