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Special Educational Needs

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 June 2022

Thursday, 16 June 2022

Ceisteanna (379)

Michael McNamara

Ceist:

379. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education the reason that school transport for a specialised class cannot be put in place to facilitate a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31412/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.

The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs. Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, the Department will consider the report of the Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO). School transport is provided to children with special educational needs who are attending the nearest school to their place of residence that is or can be resourced to meet their educational needs, as identified by the SENO.

A parent/guardian should contact the school principal of the school that their child is attending who will assist in making an application for school transport to the SENO that is affiliated with their school.

Following the application process where there is a transport service available for eligible children, Bus Éireann will liaise with eligible families regarding the school transport arrangements. Where there is no service available for eligible children, School Transport Section of my Department will liaise with families with regard to sanction of a special transport grant toward the cost of private transport arrangements.

To date, an application for school transport for children with special educational needs for the child referred to by the Deputy has not been received by the School Transport Section of my Department, furthermore, no applications for school transport for children with special educational needs have been received for the 2022/23 school year to the special class referred to by the Deputy.

Question No. 380 answered with Question No. 378.
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