Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
222. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she and her officials will engage directly with a parent (details supplied) regarding their School Transport Scheme difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33350/23]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 school year, over 149,000 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.
There has been an increase of 21% in tickets issued to eligible students and an increase of 38% in tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided in the for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs.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.
A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if s/he is attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education's criteria.
An application for school transport has not been received in School Transport Section of my Department, and Bus Éireann have advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is not availing of a transport service provided under the School Transport Scheme. In order to apply for school transport under the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the family should contact their school principal in the first instance who will assist in submitting an application for school transport to the SENO that is affiliated with the school the child is attending.
Further details of this scheme can be found on the Departments website: gov.ie/schooltransport.
Officials in School Transport Section can be contacted directly at: school_transport@education.gov.ie, where they will be happy to assist with queries the family may have.
