Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
712. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if school transport support will be secured for a child (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30557/21]
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). The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for transport under the above scheme and the parents have been offered the Special Transport Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.
The parents have advised they are considering their options on if they wish to accept the Special Transport Grant or if they are unable to accept the Special Transport Grant and require a service to be provided.
