School Transport Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2017

Tuesday, 7 November 2017

Questions (364)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

364. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education and Skills if transport sanctioned for a person (details supplied) can be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46331/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

During the 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.

The purpose of the scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.

An application for school transport has been received for the child in question and the family will be contacted directly as soon as the application has been processed.