Thomas Gould
Question:533. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education the status of an application for the special needs transport grant (details supplied). [37032/22]
View answerTuesday, 12 July 2022
Questions (533)
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 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 pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of the above scheme and the relevant school transport application was received for this pupil in March 2022. The pupil was then assigned to a transport service to their school of attendance.
The family in question contacted School Transport Section in April 2022, requesting the pupil be considered for a Special Transport Grant instead of a service. On review of the request, which included supporting documentation and following a consultation with Bus Éireann, School Transport Section have offered the Special Transport Grant to the family. School Transport Section of my Department are happy to assist the family with any further queries they may have. They can be contacted at: school_transport@education.gov.ie.