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School Transport Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2018

Tuesday, 24 April 2018

Questions (165)

Shane Cassells

Question:

165. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an application by a person (details supplied) under the school transport scheme will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17799/18]

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Written answers

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

Currently over 116,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost of almost €190 million in 2017.

Changes to the Post Primary School Transport Scheme mean that from the 2012/13 school year, eligibility for all children newly entering a post primary school is determined by reference to the distance they reside from their nearest Post-Primary Education Centre having regard, as heretofore, to ethos and language.

Bus Éireann has advised that the child in question is not attending his nearest post primary centre and is therefore not eligible for school transport.

Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only. Concessionary transport is subject to a number of terms and conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service and payment of the annual charge.

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. Where seats are limited a random selection process is used.

The family in question should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office regarding the availability of concessionary seats for the 2018/19 school year.

The terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.

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