60 special needs kids still need school transport

Around 60 children with special needs are waiting for transport to schools in Cork, three weeks after the start of term.

Bus Éireann has been having difficulty getting taxi operators to run services for children attending special schools or schools with special classes.

It contracted nearly 300 taxis last year to bring pupils, and escorts where required, to schools in Cork city and county under the Department of Education’s transport scheme for children with special educational needs. They were among more than 4,000 vehicles that brought around 12,000 children with special needs to school last year, accounting for 40% of the €182m school transport bill.