404. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason her Department has ordered a blanket pause on processing transport applications for special needs applicants. [51832/26]

405. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth to comment on correspondence received by a person (details supplied) who applied for school transport. [51833/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 404 and 405 together.

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth.

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).

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.

My department has been working closely with the NCSE in relation to updating and improving the data received on the application form for school transport under the above scheme. The NSCE temporarily paused processing applications while reviewing the updates required, however these applications are now being processed and no delays should be expected.