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School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020

Tuesday, 7 July 2020

Ceisteanna (445)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

445. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if Bus Éireann will continue to provide school transport for children with special needs; the arrangements she is making to provide these services for the period 2020 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14291/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Skills.

The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.

In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 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 €219m in 2019.

With regard to the re-opening of schools for the 2020/21 academic year, my Department is currently engaging intensively with Bus Éireann, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the National Transport Authority on the logistical considerations that arise from public health advice in planning for the reopening of schools. The operation of school transport services, including Special Educational Needs transport services, in September 2020 will be informed by the outcome of this planning for re-opening schools.

In October 2019 my Department announced a review of the school transport scheme with a view to ensuring funds are being spent in the most effective way to meet the objectives of the scheme. Terms of reference and the scope of the review have been drafted and a Steering Group has been established. The review will encompass the Special Educational Needs Transport Scheme.

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