Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1003. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education when a special educational needs transport application for a child (details supplied) will be processed by her Department; when the proposed new service will be put out to tender; the timeframe for the delivery of this urgent service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43880/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool 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, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
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.
Under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for transport where they are attending the nearest recognised school that is or can be resourced to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education
Needs Organisers.
I am pleased to advise that the pupil referred to by the Deputy has been deemed eligible for school transport. Bus Eireann has advised that a new service is required for the pupil to which the Deputy refers. They are currently in the process of finalising arrangements of this service. This route will be operational as soon as possible, and they will inform the family directly.
