Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
717. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if her Department will arrange concessionary transport for a student (details supplied); the status of the application for same; and when the transport will be provided. [63213/21]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 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 €289m in 2021.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be 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.
I am pleased to advise that the pupil referred to by the Deputy has been deemed eligible for school transport. Bus Éireann has advised that there is a service that can accommodate this child and they have liaised with family with regard to this matter. The child referred to by the Deputy is scheduled to commence on the service from 17th January 2022.
