Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2026
124. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Education and Youth the expected timeline for processing and approving an application for a Special Transport Grant for a child; the average duration from submission to decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15360/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth. The scheme is made up of three separate schemes, the school transport scheme for primary, post primary and for children with special educational needs. Transport is also provided for children who have arrived in Ireland from Ukraine and those residing in IPAS/EROC centres.
In the current school year over 181,000 children, including over 24,000 pupils with special educational needs are transported daily to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The National Council for Special Education acts in an advisory role to the Department of Education and Youth 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.
When the application has been processed by School Transport Section and it has been confirmed that the child/young person is eligible for transport, their details are submitted to Bus Éireann who operate the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department. Bus Éireann will then advise what transport options may be available.
In some cases, the SENO may advise that the child/young person does not meet the criteria under the terms of the Scheme, and the Department will engage with the family in these cases.
Eligible children and young people are catered for as follows;
• In cases where Bus Éireann advise that there is a seat available for a child or young person on an existing service, transport arrangements will be put in place at the earliest opportunity and a member of Bus Éireann staff will contact the family member named on the application form to advise the start date of the service.
• where Bus Éireann have identified that there is no service available to accommodate a child or young person, or if their care needs are such that they cannot avail of a school transport service, a Special Transport Grant (STG) is offered to families.
• where families cannot avail of the Special Transport Grant, or where they require an individual service, Bus Éireann will endeavour to establish a new service.
• Where a new service is sanctioned, this will require that a procurement and vetting process is followed, and sometimes the school may also need to employ a school transport escort. Procurement of a school transport service and the recruitment of a school transport escort can take several weeks to put in place. This is the reason a school should submit their applications as soon as possible to the SENO to prevent delays in the application process.
The Department provides grant funding directly to the school for the employment of the School Transport Escort and sets the rate of pay. The Board of Management/ETB are responsible for the employment of the School Transport Escort.
A School Principal can seek sanction from the Department of Education and Youth to employ a School Transport Escort to accompany a child/young person on school transport, where supporting evidence provided identifies care and safety needs requiring that support.
Sometimes it can take time for the school to source a suitable person, and this can delay the provision of transport. It is important to note that before funding can be provided, the employment of escorts must be sanctioned by the School Transport Section of the Department. Requests for sanction should be sent to School Transport Section at escort_transport@education.gov.ie.
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 vetting of a contractor to operate this service.
Difficulties have arisen in some cases due to lack of driver or contractor availability, or where either zero bids were received for a service, despite repeated efforts to procure one. The Bus Éireann School Transport team is work intensively to ensure that transport arrangements are put in place as soon as possible.
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 sourcing a dedicated service, the Department will offer a Special Transport Grant (STG) to families of eligible children towards the cost of private transport arrangements based on the number of days attended from the date of application until a suitable dedicated specialised service becomes available. Families of eligible children are contacted by the School Transport Section of my department in this regard.
