Niamh Smyth
Question:320. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the reason persons (details supplied) cannot obtain school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41386/20]
View answerTuesday, 8 December 2020
Questions (320)
Written answers
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. Under the terms of the Post Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8kms from and are attending their nearest Post Primary School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
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 2020/21 school year where such services are in operation.
Bus Éireann has advised that the first family referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for transport as they are not attending their nearest school. Originally, the family were unsuccessful in obtaining concessionary seats on an existing school transport service. However, seats have become available on an alternative school transport service due to the 50% capacity social distancing being implemented.
Bus Éireann has advised that payment for transport for this family was received and Bus Éireann has made contact with the family directly. It is understood that the family have accepted the seats on the alternative service. Tickets will be issued in due course.
Bus Éireann has advised that the second pupil referred to by Deputy is not eligible for transport as he is not attending his nearest school.
Originally, this pupil was unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat on an existing school transport service. However, seats have become available on an alternative school transport service due to the 50% capacity social distancing being implemented.
Bus Éireann has advised that they have been in contact with the family in this regard.