John McGuinness
Ceist:222. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills the date on which the bus escort grant will be issued to a school (details supplied). [37334/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 September 2019
Ceisteanna (222)
Freagraí scríofa
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2018/2019 school year over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €200m in 2018.
The purpose of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability. In certain cases, the Department also provides funding to schools for the employment of escorts to accompany children whose care and safety needs require this level of support while they travel to and from school.
I can confirm that the bus escort grant for the school in question has been processed by the Department.