School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 16 September 2016

Friday, 16 September 2016

Questions (499)

John McGuinness

Question:

499. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will examine the number of pupils who had school transport to a school (details supplied) and who have now been refused school transport; the reason a person (details supplied) has been refused; if he will arrange for the old service to be restored as this new arrangement threatens the future of this school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26160/16]

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.

Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport and may only avail of school transport on a concessionary basis.

Seats for concessionary applicants are allocated after all eligible children have been accommodated on school transport services. This exercise normally takes place after the closing date for receipt of payments. Existing concessionary children and their siblings are given priority in the distribution of spare seats. Where seats are limited the random selection process is used.

Bus Éireann has further advised that there has been no change in the service operating into this school for the 2016/17 school year. Five children, including the child in question, were not issued with tickets for this school year as their payments were received late, by which time all available seats had been allocated.