School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2017

Tuesday, 24 October 2017

Questions (148)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

148. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a matter (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44853/17]

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 2016/17 school year almost 116,000 children, including some 12,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 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 vetting applications for the drivers in question were received in the last week and they have been forwarded to the National Vetting Bureau (NVB).

Applicants may track the progress of their application on the NVB website.