Skip to main content
Normal View

School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020

Tuesday, 22 September 2020

Questions (389, 390, 454, 455)

Martin Browne

Question:

389. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if she will address the current issue of school buses affecting persons in rural areas (details supplied); and if discretion will be shown in these situations. [24879/20]

View answer

Martin Browne

Question:

390. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to some parents not living on the school bus routes being left to pay over €1,000 for private bus providers to get children to schools less than ten miles away; and her plans to address this issue. [24880/20]

View answer

Martin Browne

Question:

454. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education her views on the effect of the reduction in school buses on persons in rural areas (details supplied). [25155/20]

View answer

Martin Browne

Question:

455. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that some parents not living on school bus routes are paying over €1,000 for private bus providers to transport children to schools less than ten miles away; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25156/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 389, 390, 454 and 455 together.

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2019/20 school year over 120,000 children, including over 14,200 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 €219m in 2019.

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. All children who are eligible for school transport and who completed the application and payment process on time have been accommodated on school transport services for the 2020/2021 school year where such services are in operation.

Under the terms of the School Transport Scheme Primary children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. Post primary children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.

In October 2019, my predecessor announced a review of the school transport scheme with a view to ensuring funds are being spent in the most effective way to meet the objectives of the scheme. Terms of reference and the scope of the review have been drafted and a Steering Group has been established.

Given the current evolving situation with Covid-19 and the continued restrictions the work of the Steering Group has been delayed. It is intended to convene the Steering Group shortly and to agree and supplement revised terms of reference to reflect the Programme for Government.

The Review will build on the proposals in the Programme for Government, including examining issues such as the nearest or next-nearest school.

Top
Share