Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
222. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education whether a contractor has been identified to provide school transport to a school (details supplied); the timeline for commencement of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49881/23]
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.
Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, a pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class/special school or unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education criteria.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
There was a 30% increase in the number of special educational transport journeys from 2019 to the 2022/2023 school year, and already over 1,400 new applications have been received since July for the 2023/2024 school year.
New applications for the 2023/2024 school year will be catered for through a mix of new services (some being individual), children being accommodated on existing services where capacity exists, extensions of existing routes and grants to families.
Bus Éireann has reported that unfortunately, for a small number of families assigned to Special Educational Needs transport services that had been secured, difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services. These services are not cancelled, and the Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. Bus Éireann is also engaging with families where transport was sanctioned and where there may be delays in securing a new service.
In relation to the issue raised by the Deputy, Bus Éireann has advised that of the three routes affected, a contractor has been sourced for one of the routes which is expected to commence in the coming days.
Bus Éireann also advise that another dedicated school transport service is at the final stages of completion and are awaiting a School Transport Escort to be assigned to this service. The Department has sanctioned grant funding for the employment of an School Transport Escort. As the school management authority is the employer of the School Transport Escort, it is their responsibility to employ the Escort. The school authorities will liaise with their local Bus Éireann office as soon as an Escort has been successfully sourced and all relevant checks have been completed.
Bus Éireann further advise that a contractor has not yet been sourced for one service to this school, Bus Éireann is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. Bus Éireann has advised that once a suitable contractor is sourced they will contact the family directly.
In such circumstances where there is no existing suitable service available to meet a child's needs, and while Bus Éireann are in the process of sourcing a dedicated service, the Department will offer a Special Transport Grant (STG) towards the cost of private transport arrangements, based on the number of days attended from the date of application until a suitable dedicated specialised service becomes available.
School Transport Section of my Department has advised the family in this case of the details of the Special Transport Grant until a service has commenced.
