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School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2022

Tuesday, 5 April 2022

Questions (446)

Seán Fleming

Question:

446. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education if funding will be approved for transport for a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18210/22]

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Written answers

School 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 the 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. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers.

The pupil referred to by the Deputy has been deemed eligible under the terms of the scheme. Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil had been availing of a school transport service up to the end of the 2019/20 school year, when Bus Éireann were advised by family that the pupil would no longer require a transport service and therefore a ticket was not issued for the 2020/21 school year.

This pupil has been approved for transport to this school for the 2022/23 school year. Bus Éireann’s local office will liaise with the school authorities to ascertain if a school transport ticket is required for this pupil for the remainder of the 2021/22 school year and if a ticket is required, a ticket will be issued to this pupil. A school transport ticket will also be arranged to be issued to this pupil in the 2022/23 school year in the Summer of 2022 if required.

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