Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
800. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education when the school transport division will provide school transport and tickets for students (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2113/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the School Transport Scheme in 2022 amounted to €332.2m.
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 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 the pupils referred to by the Deputy are eligible under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and Bus Éireann are in the process of arranging transport for the pupils concerned and will liaise directly with the family.
