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School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Questions (501)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

501. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education if school transport will resume at 100% capacity with restrictions easing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52369/21]

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Written answers

School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2020/21 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.

Planning for school transport scheme services for the 2021/22 school year proceeded on the basis that the public health measures in place as schools closed at the end of the last school year would remain as the term began in this new school year. This included the operation of post-primary services at 50% capacity, in addition to hygiene measures and the wearing of masks on-board. The Department has kept this position under review as the vaccination programme for children on post-primary services was rolled out and as the lifting of restrictions on public transport services proceeded.

In line with the lifting of restrictions on public transport, and with effect from the return of schools following the October mid-term break, implementation will commence for post-primary school transport services to resume operating at 100% capacity. This process will take a period of time to re-organise and re-schedule services and communications will be issued to families regarding any revised arrangements.

With regard to post-primary special needs transport services, the Department will work with schools on a case by case basis where such services may be required to continue operating at 50% capacity.

Any pupil who has been issued a ticket for this school year will retain their ticket for the year. Where additional vehicles that were provided for social distancing purposes are removed and when all services resume operating at 100% capacity, any spare capacity available will be offered on those services to concessionary pupils or late applicants where such capacity exists.

All other measures relating to hygiene, pre-assigned seating, cleaning and the wearing of masks by post-primary students will remain in place subject to further review.

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