Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
421. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if a child (details supplied) in Cork can travel on the public school bus despite having a diagnosis that requires a special needs escort to accompany them to school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35710/23]
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 149,000 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.
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 current 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine. The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
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.
In certain circumstances, School Bus Escorts are employed on board a school transport service provided through Bus Éireann where the child’s care and safety needs while on board the school transport are such as they require the support of an escort. In some cases, School Bus Escorts can be employed to assist a child on a mainstream service. Safety of children, bus escorts and drivers travelling on our school transport services is of paramount importance to the Department and to Bus Éireann.
The School Transport Section within my Department sanction the employment of a school bus escort to the school authorities that a pupil is attending. The school management authority is the employer of the School Bus Escort and it is the responsibility of the employer to keep up to date and comply with legislation relating to terms and conditions of employment.
Once sanction has been given by the Department, the school authorities liaise with their local Bus Éireann office when an escort has been successfully sourced and Garda vetted and is ready to commence in order for the child to be accommodated on the service.
Families can make an application under the school transport scheme for children with special educational needs. An application form should be completed and signed by the Parents/Guardians, School Principal and the SENO prior to or at the time of first enrolment. Completed application forms should be forwarded by the SENO to School Transport Section.
Upon receipt of the application and provided the child referred is eligible under the school transport scheme for children with special educational needs and the recommendation provided by the SENO clearly states that the child can avail of a mainstream service, the School Transport Section within my Department will determine if an Escort upon the mainstream service can be sanctioned.
If the family referred to by the Deputy have any specific queries, they can contact officials in School Transport Section of my Department at: school_transport@education.gov.ie where they will be happy to assist.
