Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
533. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education when an application for wheelchair-accessible school transport for a pupil (details supplied) will be reviewed and a decision issued on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54388/22]
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 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.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education and Skills on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.
Bus Éireann has advised that a school transport service will commence for the child referred to by the Deputy following the mid-term break on 7th November. Bus Éireann further advise that they have contacted the family of the child with regard to the transport arrangements.
