Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 April 2023
50. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if a second-level student can appeal a decision to refuse special education school transport when the closest mainstream school is not meeting the specific needs of the student; what evidence is required for the appeal to prove this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18383/23]
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, 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 4,500 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
The purpose of the School Transport Scheme for children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
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.
In general, the Scheme provides that, in order to be eligible for school transport, children must be attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs.
However, if there is additional relevant information that was not submitted with a pupil's original application the family should make it available to their school without delay. The school should then consult with the SENO to establish if there are grounds for reviewing the pupil's application. The family may also liaise directly with the SENO and may also contact School Transport Section directly on school_transport@education.gov.ie.
