Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022
374. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if her Department has received an application for a new school bus service in respect of a person (details supplied); if she will ensure a speedy and positive consideration of the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59470/22]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. 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.
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).
I am pleased to advise that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs.
Bus Éireann has advised that there is no existing suitable service available to accommodate the child referred. In such circumstances, my Department will offer a Special Transport Grant (STG) towards the cost of private transport arrangements until a suitable service becomes available. A special transport grant has been offered to the family referred to by the Deputy.
Where a family is not in a position to avail of the special transport grant, they are advised to notify the School Transport Section of my Department in writing by completing the STG Return Form which is attached to the STG Letter. School Transport Section will in turn liaise with Bus Éireann toward the establishment of a service.
The School Transport Section of my Department are still awaiting the STG Return Form from the family referred indicating whether they wish to avail of the special transport grant.
