Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2016
240. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an escort for a person (details supplied) attending mainstream primary education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26557/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually .
Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question is availing of mainstream school transport.
Bus escorts are not a feature of school transport services operating under my Department's Primary or Post Primary School Transport Schemes. Consequently, the appointment of an escort on the service being availed of by the child in question cannot be approved.
