Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
363. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education when a child (details supplied) will have their special school transport application approved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40363/23]
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.
In addition, school transport scheme services were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 7% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
When a child has a diagnosed disability, 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, that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, to their place of residence.
Bus Eireann has advised that the first pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. Their application was received by my Department on 8 September 2023.
Bus Éireann have advised this pupil can be accommodated on an existing service. The Local Office will contact the family directly with the arrangements.
Bus Eireann have advised that the second pupil referred to by the Deputy is also eligible under the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. The parents of this pupil had previously accepted the special transport grant.
However, School Transport Section of my Department received correspondence from the parents of this pupil on 18 September 2023 to advise they wish to avail of transport for the 2023-24 school year. Sanction has been provided to Bus Eireann by my Department to procure a suitable service. School transport section has been in touch with the parents directly to advise them of process.
