Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2024
42. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if the case of a student (details supplied) will be reviewed, given that Bus Éireann has been made aware of the issue regarding the special class in this case and has requested that the case be referred to her Department for review. [22001/24]
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 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
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).
Bus Éireann have advised that an application for transport under the above scheme has not been received for the pupil in question, however an application for mainstream transport was submitted in relation to the pupil. Under the terms of the mainstream scheme, the pupil would not be deemed eligible for transport as they are not attending their closest school.
The family are urged to contact their school or SENO to arrange for an application for transport to be submitted under the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs so that they can be assessed for transport under this scheme.
