Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
397. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education the number of children in County Tipperary that have qualified under the school transport scheme for children with special educational needs; the number of those children that have yet to be provided with transport; and the number of those applicants that have received the special transport grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53278/22]
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.
The Department is very conscious of the specialised nature of transport provision for children with special educational needs and this is reflected in the approach that is taken in the provision of transport services.
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.
Applications for SEN transport are received on a year-round basis. Where a new service is sanctioned, this means a procurement / vetting process is required while in many instances the school is also sanctioned to employ a transport escort, and this necessarily takes time to put in place. By accepting applications year-round, the Department can ensure that children with special educational needs receive the transport they require.
To ensure the efficient delivery of services for children on Special Educations Needs school transport, Bus Éireann assesses each application to assess the options available. Where children can be facilitated on an existing service, applications are processed immediately, and arrangements put in place with families involved.
Where a new service has to be established there is a lead in period for this process that includes issues such as:
- route design and procurement including contract award.
- in many instances a School Bus Escort is required for the child’s safe transport to school and it can take time for the school to source a suitable person which can impact the start date.
In certain circumstances, an application for a Special Transport Grant can be made by the family to assist with the cost of providing private transport. This grant is paid retrospectively once the child has commenced on the service.
The table below details the number of new SEN applications received for the 2022/23 School year in county Tipperary to date:
|
SEN Applications for County Tipperary |
Number of Pupils |
|
Currently availing of SEN transport |
163 |
|
Current applications with Bus Eireann (transport has not commenced) |
6 |
|
In receipt of Special Transport Grant |
1 |
|
Applications where a grant has been offered and awaiting acceptance of same. |
10 |
|
Total |
180 |
