Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 October 2023
145. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education when an application for a change in the nature of the school transport provision will be made for a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45448/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 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 were provided 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 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
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.
The child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of the Scheme and is currently availing of a dedicated school transport service.
School Transport Section of my Department is currently liaising with Bus Éireann with regard to the possible re-organising of the service for the child referred to by the Deputy and will liaise directly with the family in this regard.
