Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
370. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if there are grants in place for driving a child to a second-level school in circumstances (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22767/21]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs 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.
In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest school that is resourced to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
A parent/guardian should contact the school principal of the school that their child is attending who will assist in making an application for school transport to the SENO that is affiliated with their school.
Following the application process where there is a transport service available for eligible children, Bus Éireann will liaise with eligible families regarding the school transport arrangements. Where there is no service available for eligible children, School Transport Section of my Department will liaise with families with regard to sanction of a special transport grant toward the cost of private transport arrangements.
