95. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether there is currently a blanket pause on the processing of school transport applications; the reasons for any such pause, or systemic delays; and the steps she is taking to ensure that children with special educational needs and disabilities who have secured a suitable school place a significant distance from their home receive the home-to-school transport support to which they are entitled without undue delay, so as to avoid causing further distress to families who have already faced considerable challenges in obtaining an appropriate educational placement. [51926/26]

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.