Niamh Smyth
Ceist:532. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if school transport will be examined for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36847/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 November 2020
Ceisteanna (532)
Freagraí scríofa
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2019/2020 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 km at a cost of over €219m in 2019.
The purpose of the Department's 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 general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest school that is resourced to meet their special educational needs.
The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs. Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil in question applied for school transport on 12 October, 2020 and commenced on school transport on 14 October, 2020. Bus Éireann has confirmed that the ticket for this pupil will be issued shortly.