Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 February 2023
350. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the number of applications received for the academic year for transport for children with additional needs; and the number that have been processed, by county, in tabular form. [6990/23]
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 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.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
Bus Éireann have advised that the number of application for transport under the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs for the 2022/23 school year is as follows:
|
County of School |
Number of applications received (09/02/23) (2022/23 School Year) |
|
Carlow |
112 |
|
Cavan |
99 |
|
Clare |
128 |
|
Cork |
744 |
|
Donegal |
211 |
|
Dublin |
1299 |
|
Galway |
265 |
|
Kerry |
144 |
|
Kildare |
195 |
|
Kilkenny |
109 |
|
Laois |
134 |
|
Leitrim |
33 |
|
Limerick |
219 |
|
Longford |
57 |
|
Louth |
257 |
|
Mayo |
96 |
|
Meath |
260 |
|
Monaghan |
54 |
|
Offaly |
161 |
|
Roscommon |
71 |
|
Sligo |
81 |
|
Tipperary |
195 |
|
Waterford |
120 |
|
Westmeath |
137 |
|
Wexford |
232 |
|
Wicklow |
88 |
|
Total |
5501 |
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.
These applications also include applications where the family are in receipt of a special transport grant, applications that have been closed, approved, sanctioned and awaiting transport.
