1369. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Youth if school transport and an escort will be provided for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58238/26]

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.

An application for school transport under the above scheme was received by the Department for the child referred. It has been reported by the SENO that this child is not attending their nearest school.

Children who are not eligible for school transport will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.

In this case, I am pleased to advise the Deputy that Bus Éireann has confirmed that there is a seat on an existing specialised school transport service that the child referred to can avail of for the 2026/27 school year. Bus Éireann will liaise with the family directly before the commencement of the school year in this regard.