Written Answers Nos. 666-685
666. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the number of children who will benefit from the free schoolbooks scheme at second level under the junior cycle scheme for the 2024 2025 academic year, by local authority area, in tabular form. [35519/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 5th of March, I announced details of a new scheme which provides free schoolbooks to Junior Cycle students in post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme. Special schools who have students enrolled in Junior Cycle programmes have also received this funding. More than 213,000 students enrolled in approximately 670 post-primary schools and over 65 special schools, will benefit from the new scheme in this new academic year.
The investment of €68 million in 2024 significantly increases the funding that was previously provided to post-primary schools for schoolbooks. It reinforces the Government’s commitment to expand the free schoolbooks scheme to schools nationwide, as resources allow.
The grant under the Junior Cycle scheme was paid to post-primary schools in the Free Education Scheme in March 2024. This was to ensure that schools had funding in place to make the necessary arrangements to implement the new scheme in advance of the start of this school year. For the 2024/25 school year schools have received a per capita rate of €309 per student enrolled in Junior Cycle years based on September 2023 enrolment figures.
The Department of Education has also allocated an administration support grant to schools for the 2024/25 school year, based on the size of the school to assist with the additional work required in order to implement the scheme. The post-primary administration support grant for 2024/2025 was paid to schools in May 2024.
The numbers of students who will benefit from this scheme in the current school year by local authority are detailed at the following link:
667. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education the number of children who will benefit from the free schoolbooks scheme at primary level for the 2024-2025 academic year, by local authority area, in tabular form. [35520/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2024 saw an investment of over €47 million to continue implementation of the free schoolbooks scheme at primary level. On the 8th May I announced details of year 2 of the Primary Schoolbooks Scheme which, for the second year, provides at a minimum, free schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks to all pupils enrolled in recognised primary and special schools. More than 555,000 pupils enrolled in approximately 3,230 primary schools, including over 130 special schools will continue to benefit from this scheme in this school year.
The grant under the Primary Schoolbooks Scheme was paid to recognised primary and special schools in May 2024. For the 2024/25 school year schools have received a per capita rate of €80 per pupil enrolled based on September 2023 enrolment figures.
The Department of Education has also allocated an administration support grant to schools for the 2024/25 school year, based on the size of the school to assist with the additional work required in order to implement the scheme. The primary administration support grant for 2024/2025 issued to schools in June.
The numbers of children who will benefit from this scheme in the current school year by local authority area is detailed at the following link:
668. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if her Department will reconsider an emergency works application, which was rejected, for a west Cork national school (details supplied). [35524/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school to which the Deputy refers has appealed the decision made in respect of the initial Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) application submitted by the school. This application is currently under review as part of the appeal process and the school will be kept updated on any developments including the outcome of the appeal.
669. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the funding that was allocated in 2019 and 2020 for in-school therapy supports for children in special schools; and the number of therapists delivering these supports in 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [35535/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra673. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Education the current number of special schools; the estimated number of special schools to be open for the 2025 2026 academic year; the number of therapy staff needed to deliver in-school therapy supports in each special school; and the estimated additional funding required to fully staff special schools to deliver in-school therapy supports in each special school. [35558/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 669 and 673 together.
There is currently 134 special schools nationwide, 124 supported by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), 7 attached to hospitals and 3 attached to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHs).
My department and the NCSE continue to monitor and review the need for further new special schools and the expansion of existing special schools in all areas of the country. It is estimated that a further 300 new special school places may be required nationwide each year for the coming years.
Where additional special school places are needed, the preference is generally to expand capacity in existing schools. However, consideration is being given to whether further new special schools, in addition to those recently established are required in certain locations. As part of this work, the NCSE is examining known demand in areas, the distances children are travelling to special schools and potential capacity in special schools which already exist. This work is ongoing and is expected to be substantially completed in late autumn. A number of regions are under consideration for special school provision.
My department and the NCSE are progressing this review work ahead of determining where additional capacity is required, in existing special schools, or, in what regions a new special school may need to be established for the 2025/26 school year.
My department does not provide funding to special schools to cover the cost of hiring private therapists. The provision of health-related therapy services for children with disabilities is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) and queries in relation to those services should be directed to the HSE or to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
My department cannot duplicate the provision of funds to provide services that are already covered within the service delivery agreements that the HSE have in place. My department has engaged extensively with the HSE and others in relation to the provision of therapy services in special schools leading to the recent announcement of a pilot programme which will see the HSE deploying therapists into a number of special schools for the duration of the school day and the school year. My Department and the NCSE will be working closely with the HSE on the establishment of this new pilot programme.
670. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education the measures he will take to address the issues highlighted in a 2025 pre-Budget submission by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35542/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver recent years, additional resources have been made available to our schools, including through the delivery of thousands of extra teaching and Special Needs Assistant posts, increased capitation in schools, enhanced supports for school leadership, reduced class sizes, actions to assist teacher supply and free school books in primary schools and junior cycle post primary to help reduce the school costs for families.
My aim for Budget 2025 is to continue to deliver on the priorities outlined in the Programme for Government and to continue to support the students, staff and families in the education sector.
In the lead up to the Budget, my Department receives a number of pre-budget submissions from a range of different stakeholders in the education sector, including INTO, and from organisations involved in other areas of public policy. As in previous years, relevant submissions continue to be reviewed and they will inform the specific budgetary priorities that I will be seeking to achieve in Budget 2025. As I am sure the Deputy appreciates, it would not be appropriate for me to outline any more specific plans at this stage of the budgetary process.
671. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to review a school bus ticket application (details supplied); if she will review the authorised collection and pick-up times for this route as currently the school’s students are missing the evening bus as it is leaving too early and students cannot make it down from their school to the collection point on time; if she will arrange for Bus Éireann to provide adjusted collection and pick-up times on this route in order that all bus ticket holders can avail of the full school bus service on all days for this school year; if she will instruct Bus Éireann to drop and collect students who attend the school closer to the school instead of at a location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35546/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
I am pleased to advise that the family to whom the Deputy refers has been contacted directly by Bus Éireann and the issue is now resolved.
672. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to review a school bus ticket application for a pupil (details supplied); if she will arrange for Bus Éireann to provide further clarity on the reason this valid ticket holder was not provided a school bus ticket for the 2024 2025 academic year; if capacity on the service is an issue, whether she will instruct Bus Éireann to increase capacity on this route, in order that all valid ticket holders can avail of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35551/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Parents of children wishing to avail of school transport services are required to apply on-line to Bus Éireann’s website at buseireann.ie/schooltransport.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) at post primary level are continued for the current school year. Under these measures, transport is provided where there is a route in operation and where capacity exists for concessionary post primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school, are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.
Bus Éireann has advised that while the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible for transport, they applied and paid late for the 2024/25 school year.
This pupil was unsuccessful in obtaining a ticket and the bus is now operating to capacity.
674. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education for an update on her Department’s engagement with Meath County Council in regard to the planning application for a permanent school building for a school (details supplied); if her Department has provided the information sought by Meath County Council on 17 April 2024 in respect of its request to her Department to provide ‘further information’ to allow it to make a determination on the planning application; when the relevant information was provided to the local authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35563/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWork is ongoing on the preparation of the response to the Request for Further Information (RFI) received from the local authority for the school project referred to by the Deputy.
The final date for submission to the local authority is the 15th October 2024 but it is expected that the response will be lodged in advance of this date.
675. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a school transport issue (details supplied) is resolved urgently. [35570/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
Bus Éireann has reported that unfortunately, for a small number of families assigned to Special Educational Needs transport services, difficulties have arisen in some localities with contracted services. These services were secured for the 2024/2025 school year and due to reported driver/contractor unavailability at short notice, services could not commence as expected.
Bus Eireann has advised that this pupil's service is not currently operating as there is no driver available.
Until such time as a new service is in place, the family may apply for the Special Transport Grant which is paid to families to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family have put in place until services begin. This payment is based on the number of days the child attends school.
Bus Éireann has advised that this service has been re-tendered and a new contractor is planned to commence operating this route from 09/09/2024.
676. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education whether school transport can be approved for a person granted home tuition in a registered premises. [35597/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Providing transport for home tuition is not a feature of any School Transport schemes.
677. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education to review a book on the curriculum immediately (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35612/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe curriculum, as approved by the Minister, at both primary and post primary level, is considered to be for all learners regardless of race, religion, socioeconomic background, gender or orientation. It is the aim of my department that every child has access to equitable education and that each learner feels safe and happy in the school environment, at every stage.
The Curriculum specification and prescribed material for any subject are determined by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) www.ncca.ie. It should be noted that the material referenced by the Deputy was not contained within the curriculum or other material published by the Department. It is the responsibility of each individual school to select the resources (other than prescribed material) that it will use to support its implementation of the curriculum. Any concerns regarding material published in textbooks should be raised with the publisher themselves.
Following a recommendation from the NCCA Report on the Review of RSE in 2019, a portal site was developed by the NCCA where teachers can access SPHE/RSE teaching and learning resources. These online toolkits are published by the NCCA at curriculumonline.ie to provide supports for teachers in preparing for and teaching SPHE/RSE, and have been carefully selected to support planning for quality teaching and learning in SPHE linked to the current curriculum.
678. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education to provide clarity or guidance to Bus Éireann regarding a request (details supplied) to allow primary and secondary school students travel on the same bus home, thereby allowing primary pupils wait on for additional study periods. [35619/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
A request has been received by the Department concerning the students to whom the Deputy refers.
This request is currently being assessed by the School Transport Section and Bus Éireann; parents will be contacted directly in this regard.
679. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to initiate a review of a school bus route and request Bus Éireann to contact the person requesting the review (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35637/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
With reference to the family of whom the Deputy refers, I am pleased to advise that the local Bus Éireann Inspector has liaised with this family and resolved their issue.
680. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if school transport in the case of a person (details supplied) can be reviewed with particular reference to the fact that their son has a medical card and has had school transport for the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35638/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Eireann has confirmed that the pupil mentioned by the Deputy is eligible for mainstream school transport. An application was received on time for this pupil for the 2024/25 school year. No payment/medical card details were received for this pupil before the deadline date and the service is now full to capacity.
681. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if there are emergency measures available to a school (details supplied) which has an increase of 39 new pupils; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35641/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.
The staffing arrangements include a provision whereby schools experiencing rapid increases in enrolment can apply for additional permanent mainstream posts, using projected enrolment. An additional teaching post has been sanctioned to this school for the current school year under this process.
682. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Education if her Department has requested information from Bus Éireann pertaining the provision of school transport to a primary school (details supplied); if her Department is in receipt of the necessary information; if she will take measures to ensure that students attending this primary school will be facilitated by the sanctioning of school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35643/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 school year.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes, children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school. At post primary level, they are eligible where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre. Distance is determined by the Department/Bus Éireann and rules have regard to ethos and language.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time (apply on time and pay on time) are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation and where there is capacity to do so.
Children who are not eligible but who apply for school transport are considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places. In these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that in relation to the school referred to by the Deputy, there 5 services in operation for the 2024/25 school year, carrying a total of 228 pupils. Of these 228 pupils, 58 are eligible and 170 are concessionary.
All eligible pupils who applied and paid on time received tickets on board the available services. There were 24 concessionary pupils that paid on time who did not receive tickets on board the services for 2024/25 following the agreed selection process. 2 of that number have since been accommodated after pupils who had originally received tickets cancelled them.
Generally, pupils that are concessionary to this school are attending their 2nd, 3rd or 4th closest school or they reside under the distance guidelines.
683. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if, given the ongoing issues with school transport for children with additional needs, specifically at a school (details supplied), where approximately 15 out of 20 children are currently without transport due to Bus Éireann's failure to fill the contract, she will outline the measures that will be taken to address this situation. [35644/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra684. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if she will take immediate action to ensure that reliable transport is provided for vulnerable children at a school (details supplied). [35645/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 683 and 684 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2023/24 school year over 163,800 children, including over 136,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 20,200 pupils with special educational needs, and 7,400 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine were 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.
Over 140,000 mainstream tickets have issued for the 2024/2025 school year, which is already 3% more than the total tickets issued for the full 2023/2024 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.
Bus Éireann has reported in recent days that unfortunately, for a small number of families assigned to Special Educational Needs transport services, difficulties have arisen in some localities with a small number of contracted services. These services were secured for the 2024/2025 school year and due to reported driver/contractor unavailability at short notice, services could not commence as expected.
Bus Éireann School Transport team is working intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible. Bus Éireann is engaging with families where transport was sanctioned and where there may be delays in securing a new service. A Special Transport Interim Grant has been offered to families of children with special educational needs who, following the application process, are eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme and were awaiting a School Transport service to be put in place.
This grant is a once off payment. The interim grant is offered from the date of application to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements the family had put in place until a transport service is ready to commence. Further information on the Special Transport Interim Grant can be found at: gov.ie/schooltransport.
Work is continuing in order to resolve this matter and Bus Éireann are committed to providing transport as quickly as is possible.
Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre to assist families specifically with School Transport queries during the busy summer period. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are usually 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.
Families can also contact Bus Éireann by submitting a query via the following link: www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=523
685. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education to conduct an urgent review of the school leaver process to ensure a smooth transition from children’s services to adult services for individuals with autism and complex needs, as recommended by an organisation (details supplied) in its pre-Budget 2025 submission; will the Minister take this matter into consideration when finalising her Budget 2025 plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35684/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI want to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The Department of Education (DoE) recognises the importance of supporting student transitions into and from school settings while ensuring that students with more complex needs are supported optimally.
The recently launched National Strategy and Action Plan for Lifelong guidance is about helping people to make better choices about their education, career and life choices, through information, advice and guidance counselling services. The new proposals in the action plan include providing guidance delivered by appropriately trained professionals for students in the country’s 130 special schools for the first time.
In addition, the NCSE has published transition guidelines between all stages of education that are designed to assist parents to support their children to make successful transitions.
Under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy (CES) for People with Disabilities, the DoE is leading on the implementation of a number of actions supporting transitions and progression in education from early childhood through to further education and training and higher education.
The Comprehensive Employment Strategy (CES) Transitions Pilot is a pilot programme to support the transition for young people with disabilities to improve access to, and opportunities for, post-school options. The pilot project ran in 20 schools (10 in Dublin/10 in Galway) from late 2022 until June of this year. A plan to roll out a second round of the pilot in 40 special schools only for the 2024/25 school year is currently underway.
A second pilot programme – the DAF 22 Transitions programme is a collaboration between the Department and Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability (WALK), an experienced NGO working in the area of disability services. The key objective is similar to CES - ensure that students are supported to make optimal transitions from school.
Both pilot programmes are subject to an ongoing external evaluation. The outcomes of these evaluations will ensure that learning informs policy in this area.
