School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 April 2012

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

Ceisteanna (401)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Ceist:

402 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Education and Skills the costs associated with transporting children with special needs from Inishowen to Letterkenny, County Donegal, for school, including the cost of the special needs assistant who travels with the children. [19354/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy Ciarán Cannon)

The cost of individual routes or services is regarded as commercially sensitive. However, the Value for Money Review of the School Transport Scheme showed that the school transport unit cost per child with special educational needs including the cost of an escort is in the region of €9,000 per annum.