Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2021
59. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Education if she will reconsider the criteria for places on school transportation in which the student is unable to avail of their closest school due to special needs or due to the fact that the closest school is oversubscribed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32412/21]
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 and transport is provided on this basis. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
The family is advised to contact School Transport Section of my Department should they wish to discuss their application for School Transport.
