Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
879. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify the supports available in a situation (details supplied) where a child is not able to avail of public transport and can no longer be transported by her family to her school, specifically in this case when the circumstances mean that the family was unable to apply to any scheme before now and the new school term is imminent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43030/22]
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, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country. The cost in 2021 was over €289m.
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.
The National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) acts in an advisory role to my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs
School Transport Section of my Department has received an application for school transport for the child referred to by the Deputy and it has been reported by the SENO that this child is not attending their nearest school that is, or can be, resourced to meet the child's educational needs under Department of Education criteria. The child referred to in this case is therefore not eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme.
School Transport Section of my Department has also notified the family of the outcome of the decision.
