School transport for children with special needs

Rules

Children who qualify for special transport are those who are enrolled in special schools or special classes in a primary school.

The School Transport service may not be available in all areas. Where the special transport cannot be provided, you may be eligible for a transport grant to help with the cost of making private transport arrangements.

The transport grant is paid:

• If the child has to be brought to a specific pick-up point to meet a special transport service
• If the child requires a supervised transport service and it is not possible to provide this service
• If there is no special transport service available for a special needs child travelling home from a residential school at the weekend.

If your application for a transport grant has been refused, you are entitled to appeal the decision. You must appeal in writing to the Special Education Section of the Department of Education and Skills. Appeals can be made in the following cases:

• If the Department is not in a position to provide a transport service due to excessive cost
• Where the maximum level of grant offered does not cover the assessed cost of the journey involved.

Following investigation of an appeal, if the Department is satisfied that the child’s parents/guardian are not in a position to transport the child, or that the circumstances of the family are such that hardship would be involved by requiring the family to pay for private transport, special services can be arranged subject to a ceiling of 63 cent per mile.

Harness and escort provision

Resources are also available for the provision of a harness for special needs children travelling on special transport services. Applications may be made by the parent/guardian or school management.

An escort may be provided for children in special schools who have physical disabilities and to children with hearing/visual impairment. Applications may be made by the school management.

Special class arangements

Transport services for children with special needs are only provided for the period of enrolment in a special class. If the child returns to mainstream classes, special transport arrangements will not be provided.

Special transport arrangements for Traveller children

The Department of Education and Skills provides 98% grant-aid towards the cost of approved special transport services operated to cater solely for Traveller children. The Department must be satisfied that the service is necessary and can be provided at a reasonable cost and that all other options have been explored. Factors such as the number of children availing of the service, the number of journeys and the total mileage each day are taken into consideration when an application has been made.