Danny Healy-Rae
Ceist:227. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the status of a school transport appeal (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40953/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 3 December 2020
Ceisteanna (227)
Freagraí scríofa
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
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 2019/2020 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 children with special educational needs, are 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.
Decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes may be appealed to the School Transport Appeals Board. The School Transport Appeals Board is independent of my Department. Under the terms of reference of the Board, the Board determines appeals against decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Department of Education and Skills regarding the provision of school transport services and/or grant-aid under the terms of the School Transport Schemes.
An appeal for the child referred to by the Deputy was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board on 23rd September, 2020. The Board has requested the School Transport Section to provide a report in accordance with the terms of the Board’s Operating Procedures. School Transport Section is currently liaising with Bus Éireann in regard to the information required.
When the report is received, the Board will liaise directly with the family regarding the appeal date and their subsequent deliberations.