Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023
200. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a bus is sourced for a school (details supplied), to ensure that children with additional needs can get to and from school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43731/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/23 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were 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 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school year. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Under the terms of the 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 the Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.Bus Éireann has reported in recent weeks that unfortunately, for a small number of families, assigned to Special Educational Needs transport services that had been secured, a number of difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services.
Bus Éireann is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. Bus Éireann has advised that the service referred to by the Deputy is currently in the procurement process and once a suitable contractor is sourced Bus Éireann will contact the families directly.
Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Families of children who are eligible for these services may therefore avail of the Special Transport Grant which is a once off payment, paid retrospectively to families once the School Transport service is in place and is to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until services are finalised. The Department of Education will be in contact with families in relation to this interim grant. Further information can be found at : gov.ie/schooltransport.
