Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 December 2012
119. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if communities for whom reforms to school transport policy have proven particularly problematic will be afforded an opportunity to propose and implement localised solutions to the problem with the assistance of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57641/12]
View answerThe purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school. The terms of the scheme are applied equitably on a national basis. Bus Éireann operates the school transport services on behalf of my Department. This is a major logistical operation which involves the planning of over 6,000 bus routes annually to ensure that, as far as possible, eligible children have a reasonable level of service while, at the same time, ensuring that school transport vehicles are fully utilised in an efficient and cost effective manner. Safety of children travelling on the school transport services is of paramount importance to my Department and to Bus Éireann. Children are eligible for school transport if they meet the distance eligibility criterion and are attending their nearest school/education centre as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Children who are not eligible for transport may apply to avail of transport on a concessionary basis. Bus Éireann work closely with local communities and school authorities when introducing, organising and operating annual school transport services; it is not possible to facilitate localised arrangements outside the terms of the scheme.
