Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021
470. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Education if two post-primary students (details supplied) who did not receive school bus tickets will be accommodated given they should meet the criteria for temporary alleviation measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46558/21]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the 2020/2021 school year over 114,100 children, including over 14,700 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €224.7m in 2020.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who completed the application and payment process on time for the 2021/22 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. In addition all post-primary pupils who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and who have applied and paid on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation. This arrangement is in place for current school year pending completion of the full review of the School Transport Scheme.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and are offered seats where capacity exists after all eligible children have been catered for.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupils to whom the Deputy refers are not eligible under the terms of the scheme and have also advised that they are not attending either their nearest or second nearest post-primary school.
Concessionary transport was not an option as there is currently no service operating from where the family reside to their school of attendance.
