Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 September 2022
330. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the steps which have been taken to provide transport to a post-primary ASD class for a first-year student (details supplied); when they will get a service to school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44884/22]
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, were 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 is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Bus Éireann is obliged to tender all works, goods and services to be provided by external suppliers in line with national and EU procurement legislation and this includes services provided by contractors under the School Transport Scheme.
Bus Éireann has advised a contractor is currently being sought under the tender process, once a vehicle and driver has been sourced, a service will be established to cater for the child referred to by the Deputy.
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 apply for the Special Transport Grant which is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised. Families should contact School Transport Section for more information on this grant.
