Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 November 2023
88. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education when a replacement taxi driver will be put in place for a taxi service (details supplied) given that it is now over three weeks since the service ceased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51443/23]
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.
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.
Bus Éireann has advised that the service referred to by the Deputy ceased operation on 27th October 2023 due to the resignation of the contractor. A new contractor has now been sourced, the service will commence operation on the 21st November 2023. The family have been informed accordingly.
