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School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 November 2021

Tuesday, 9 November 2021

Questions (437)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

437. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the reason the school transport scheme is not available to children in a school (details supplied); and the action that will be taken to ensure the children in attendance at the school can avail of the scheme. [54477/21]

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Written answers

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were 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).

When applications are approved by the Department of Education, Bus Éireann assesses the transport options available, taking into account the individual requirements of each child. Where children can be facilitated on an existing service, applications are processed as soon as possible and arrangements put in place with the families involved.

My Department can confirm that it has recently received 26 transport applications for pupils attending the school in question. All parties involved are working together to process these applications as speedily as possible with a view to providing the new services to the families concerned in the shortest possible timeframe.

My Department has to date sanctioned transport for 12 pupils involving two separate SEN services. Both services were sanctioned on 01/11/2021 and these services are currently being tendered by Bus Éireann in line with the procurement process, while work continues on establishing the remaining services required.

Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for special educational needs school transport may therefore avail of the Special Transport Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements until services are finalised.

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