Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019
279. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason free school transport is not being provided to a child (details supplied); when the appeal lodged regarding the case will be decided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7020/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
There are currently over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms of my Department’s School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for school transport where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability and are attending the nearest recognised school/class that is resourced to meet their special educational needs
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers.
The child in question is not attending the nearest school/class that is resourced to meet his special educational needs and is therefore not eligible for school transport
An appeal was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board on the 4th February 2019 and the Board will liaise directly with the family regarding the appeal date and their subsequent deliberations.
