Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
96. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the current school transport funding provisions for special schools in County Mayo; if she will conduct a funding review to identify any gaps that require schools to fundraise themselves for essential services, such as school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29126/26]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme, which Bus Éireann operates on behalf of my Department, has expanded significantly over the past six years. In that time, the numbers of children and young people using the service have grown from under 120,000 pupils in 2018 to over 181,000 pupils including over 24,000 pupils with Special Educational Needs in 2025 which equates to an increase of over 50%. Since 2018, investment in the scheme has more than doubled, from €200 million to €537 million in 2025.
The growth in school transport has been especially marked in the area of SEN. This now represents almost 60% of the scheme’s total costs, while serving around 13% of pupils.
In accordance with the terms of my Department's School Transport Scheme, school transport services operate during the standard school year and facilitate a child's attendance during normal school opening and closing times. Transport operating outside of the above arrangements would not come under the remit of the scheme.
The School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs supports the transport to and from school of children and young people with special educational needs in line with the criteria set out in the Department of Education and Youth.
To be eligible for school transport under the above Scheme;
(i) The required professional report(s) submitted must meet the Department of Education and Youth criteria for attending the relevant setting and
(ii) the child/young person must be attending the nearest recognised mainstream school or special class/special school, or a unit which can be resourced to meet their special educational needs
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department 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).
Parents should contact their school principal who will assist in making an application for school transport to the SENO that is affiliated with the school the child is attending.
Further details of this scheme can be found on the Departments website www.gov.ie/en/service/07a71-school-transport/#children-with-special-educational-needs
Bus Éireann have advised that there are currently 33 routes operating under the terms of the above Scheme to 4 special schools located in Mayo.
