Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2019
190. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 210 of 26 November 2019, when Bus Éireann will commence liaising with the family in relation to the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51347/19]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
The 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.
In the 2018/2019 school year over 117,500 children, including over 13,000 children with special educational needs, were transported in over 5,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres at a cost of over €200m in 2018.
Children are eligible for school transport where they reside 3.2 kilometres or over and are attending their nearest primary school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
The pupil referred by the Deputy is deemed eligible for transport under the terms of Primary School Transport Scheme. Bus Éireann have advised that they have been in contact with the family in regard to transport arrangements.
