Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
235. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she will address the concerns regarding the lack of preschool transport for a child with ASD raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72762/25]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.
Under the terms of my 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 my Department on the suitability of placements for children with special educational needs.
A pupil with special educational needs is eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest recognised mainstream school, special class / special school or a unit, that is or can be resourced, to meet the child's special educational needs under Department of Education and Youth's criteria.
Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
Early intervention classes for children with autism are pre-school classes situated in mainstream primary schools or in special schools. They were established by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
In this case, the SENO has advised that the preschool in question is not situated in a primary or special school and therefore does not come under the remit of the Department of Education and Youth and is therefore not covered by the terms of the School Transport Scheme. The family can contact their local SENO if they require any further information.
