Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
523. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update with respect to a student in County Cork who is receiving school transport under the scheme for children with special educational needs (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17012/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department. In the current school year, over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are 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 scheme in 2022 was €338.9 m.
Bus Éireann has advised they are currently in the process of sourcing another contractor for the route in question and will contact the family directly once a contractor is in place.
Where a service cannot operate, families of children who are eligible for school transport for children with special educational needs may apply for the Special Transport Grant (STG) which is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family have put in place until services is finalised.
School Transport section of my Department are currently liaising with the family referred with regard to the grant information.
