Seán Sherlock
Question:382. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of an application for transport either concessionary or remote area grant for a child (details supplied). [48149/22]
View answerTuesday, 4 October 2022
Questions (382)
Written answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last 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.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
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. The scheme provides free school transport to children with diagnosed disabilities who meet the criteria.
The Department is very conscious of the specialised nature of transport provision for children with special educational needs and this is reflected in the approach that is taken in the provision of transport services. Children are eligible for transport where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability in accordance with Department criteria and are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class or special 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.
The pupil referred to by the Deputy in this case submitted an application for Special Educational needs on 20.9.2022 and has been deemed eligible. The Parent of the pupil has been contacted by School Transport Section and are awaiting a response from the Parent in order to progress the application.