School Transport Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016

Friday, 16 September 2016

Questions (380)

Niall Collins

Question:

380. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application by a school (details supplied) for a bus escort will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24388/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.

During the 2015/16 school year in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually. Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question is availing of mainstream school transport on a concessionary basis.

Bus escorts are not a feature of school transport services operating under my Department's Primary or Post Primary School Transport Schemes. Consequently, the appointment of an escort on the service being availed of by the child in question cannot be approved.