Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2023
325. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Education is she will provide an update on school transport for a child (details supplied) who has been travelling with their twin brothers and has had their ticket rescinded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6646/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 4,200 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine. .
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
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 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.
Bus Eireann has advised that they require further information from the Deputy in order to provide a comprehensive report on the matter. Bus Eireann require the names of the siblings referred as well as the email address of the parent/s. School Transport Section in my Department have contacted the Deputy to request the additional information and are awaiting a reply, the family can provide the required information to school_transport@education.gov.ie where officials in School Transport Section will be happy to assist.
