Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 November 2022
104. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education when individual transport to and from a school (details supplied) will be arranged for a child with special needs in County Tipperary who is currently unable to attend school due to having no school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56819/22]
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.
The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with 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 request for an individual service on behalf of the child referred to by the Deputy has been received by the School Transport Section of my Department for consideration. School Transport Section are currently reviewing this request and will liaise with the family directly with regard to this matter.
