Marian Harkin
Ceist:201. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education to confirm that school transport will be provided for named students (details supplied);; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20483/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 8 May 2024
Ceisteanna (201)
Freagraí scríofa
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education.
In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils traveling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application and payment process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation for the 2024/25 school year.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application and payment process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Due to the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Eireann have advised that the family, referred to by the Deputy, have made an application but not yet paid for school transport for the 2024/25 school year. Bus Éireann has also advised that the family are not eligible for school transport as they are attending the third nearest school from where they reside.
The family will be considered for school transport in line with mainstream concessionary policy for the 2024/25 school year once payment is received before the payment closing date of 7th June 2024.