Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 September 2025
226. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department has engaged with Bus Éireann regarding the ongoing failure to secure a school transport provider for students at a school (details supplied); will she outline how her Department intends to support the resumption of this essential service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49527/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra227. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she has considered the use of smaller buses or local operators to bridge the gap in school transport provision for children at a school (details supplied); to confirm the timeline envisaged for implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49528/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra244. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Youth the supports available to families currently being advised to use taxis at a cost of approximately €80 per day in the absence of school transport such as the case in a school (details supplied); if her Department will cover the full cost of such transport until a permanent solution is found; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49525/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 226, 227 and 244 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs. Bus Éireann are required to tender services in line with procurement guidelines and are responsible for the allocating and Garda vetting clearance of a contractor to operate this service. Bus Éireann have advised that the service in question was handed back by the contractor. This service is now currently in the procurement process. Once a suitable contractor has been sourced this service will commence.In such circumstances where there is no existing suitable service available to meet a child's needs, and while Bus Éireann are in the process of establishing the service for the child referred, the Department will offer an Interim Special Transport Grant (STG) to families of eligible children towards the cost of private transport arrangements. This is based on the number of days attended from the date of application until a suitable service becomes available. The families will be contacted in the coming days in this regard.
