Kieran O'Donnell
Ceist:366. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Education when a payment will be issued to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59224/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 29 November 2022
Ceisteanna (366)
Freagraí scríofa
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the last 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 the 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 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.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
I am pleased to advise that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs.
A Special Transport Grant has been sanctioned and a payment processed from the date of application up until the child referred commenced on a school transport service. The family referred to by the Deputy will be notified of the date the payment will be lodged into their account within the coming days.