Clare Daly
Ceist:181. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide transport for young adults attending special services. [28333/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 4 October 2016
Ceisteanna (181)
Freagraí scríofa
School 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.
I wish to advise the Deputy that Special Schools funded by my Department are intended to cater for children and young persons with special educational needs from 4 years until the end of the school year in which they reach their 18th year.
At that point, the Department of Health/Health Service Executive assumes direct responsibility for young adults with special educational needs who are over 18 years. My Department, at that stage, may allocate resources towards an educational component of such provision.
It is important to note that students who transfer to adult service settings can continue to participate in educational programmes through further adult educational programmes or in adult settings which are allocated resources towards educational provision.
There is no provision within my Department's School Transport Scheme to provide transport for young adults as referred to by the Deputy.