1155. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the reason a child who has been deemed eligible for specialised school transport has not been provided with an appropriate transport service for the 2026-2027 school year (details supplied); if she will review the case urgently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59966/26]

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 pupil in question and Bus Éireann has been issued sanction by the Department for a school transport service for the pupil for the 2026/27 school year. Bus Éireann will liaise with the family directly when a service is in place.

Both the Department and Bus Éireann are very conscious of the challenges faced by parents awaiting transport for students with special educational needs and while Bus Éireann are in the process of establishing the service for the pupil in question, the Department will offer an Interim Special Transport Grant (STG) to the family 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 family will be contacted by the Department directly in this regard.