Northern Ireland minister points to potential further savings and efficiencies to taxi SEN transport
- Perry Richardson
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
Northern Ireland’s Education Minister has further discussed details around a review of taxi provisions for special educational needs transport which has delivered savings of around £1 million this financial year, amid mounting scrutiny over rising costs in the sector.
Speaking during Oral Questions in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Paul Givan said the Education Authority had undertaken work to ensure taxi services are “as efficient as possible”, given the level of public expenditure involved.
The comments came in response to a question from Cara Hunter, who asked whether discussions had taken place with community transport bodies about helping to reduce the high cost of taxis used in SEN transport.
Givan told the Assembly that the review had “yielded approximately £1 million this year” and added that further efficiencies would continue to be explored. “Obviously, we want to continue identifying the most effective way to transport our young people,” he said.
Education Authority efficiency drive delivers seven-figure reduction as Minister signals openness to greater role for community transport providers
The Minister indicated that community transport operators could play a greater role, provided they meet regulatory requirements. “If community provision can be met, in compliance with all the various regulations associated with it, I encourage that,” he said. However, he stressed that operational decisions on transport procurement sit with the Education Authority, with the Department responsible for overarching policy.
The debate highlights ongoing pressure on education budgets in Northern Ireland, where transport for children with special educational needs represents a significant and growing cost line. Givan pointed to structural factors behind higher expenditure, noting that some of the largest costs arise when pupils must travel long distances due to a lack of local provision. “When it comes to children with special educational needs, the most effective way would be to meet their requirements within their local community,” he said.
Hunter told the Assembly she had met community transport providers earlier that day and pressed the Minister to engage directly with them to explore alternatives that could be economically and environmentally beneficial. Givan responded that he was “happy to meet anyone who can make the delivery of public services more efficient”, citing Lagan Valley Rural Transport in his constituency as an example of a valued service.
For taxi drivers currently engaged in SEN contracts, the discussion signals continued scrutiny of pricing structures and contract efficiency. Any shift toward greater use of community transport could affect future procurement models, particularly if cost savings can be demonstrated at scale while maintaining compliance with safeguarding and licensing requirements.
The Education Authority has not published detailed figures on the overall annual taxi spend within SEN transport as part of the Assembly exchange. Further changes would likely depend on procurement assessments, regulatory compliance and the availability of suitable local provision.
