Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2024
301. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Education the reason a replacement school bus service for children attending a school (details supplied) was not put in place when the existing service was disrupted before Easter; if she is aware of complaints from parents about the service being subject to frequent disruption; and if she shares their concerns about the significant obstacle this creates in their access to education. [17662/24]
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 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education and Skills 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 Éireann is very conscious of the specialised nature of transport provision for pupils with special educational needs under the School Transport Scheme and all services are planned to meet the individual requirements of children travelling. Driver shortages are being experienced in many sectors throughout the country and Bus Éireann is therefore unfortunately experiencing challenges in some localities with a small number of contracted services which are regrettably affecting a number of families.
Bus Eireann have advised that this service re-commenced from 17/04/2024 and was not operating previously due to a vehicle breakdown.
