Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
280. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the changes she has made to the school transport scheme this year for the Straffan bus for pupils attending schools in Maynooth in the 2024-2025 academic year; and the way in which more concessionary passengers will be accommodated on this service. [21286/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 travelling 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.
Temporary Alleviation Measures are in place for the 2024/2025 school year, which allow for the provision of transport for post-primary students who were otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and had applied and paid on time. In effect, these students remain to be considered as concessionary but transport Is provided for students who met the criteria where there are existing services available.
In cases where the Department is satisfied that a pupil's nearest/next nearest schools are full, eligibility for school transport will be determined based on the distance a family resides from their next nearest school having regard to ethos and language.
If families have applied to attend their nearest school in regards to ethos and language and have been advised by the school authorities that it is full, my Department will consider if students can be deemed eligible for transport to the next nearest school(s).
To establish that the nearest schools are full parents must provide:-
• The steps taken to enrol their child in the nearest and next nearest schools
• Evidence that an application for enrolment was made within the deadline dates specified by the school and
• A letter from the School Authorities confirming that the school was full at the time of enrolment.
These families can submit details to the School Transport Section in the Department of Education at school_transport@education.gov.ie.
In the area outlined by the Deputy, changes were made to the eligibility status of some pupils following receipt of the above referenced information from families/schools.
