Paul Kehoe
Ceist:411. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the request by persons (details supplied) for school transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46776/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 7 November 2017
Ceisteanna (411)
Freagraí scríofa
School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
During the 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Given the concerns regarding the welfare of children with special educational needs, it is not always practical to make these services available to children who are capable of travelling on standard mainstream school transport services, as to do so might diminish the level of care and safety that the Department and Bus Éireann wish to provide for these vulnerable children.
My Department is awaiting further information from Bus Éireann in relation to the request referred to and will contact the parent directly when the matter has been considered.