Paul McAuliffe
Question:415. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education the estimated cost of providing a school transport system for the Dublin area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16077/22]
View answerTuesday, 29 March 2022
Questions (415)
Written answers
School Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
The purpose of the 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.
The scheme supports students to attend school throughout the country. Primary children are eligible for transport where they reside 3.2 kilometres or more from their nearest school having regard to language and ethos. Post primary students are eligible where they reside 4.8 kilometres or more from their nearest school having regard to language and ethos.
All children who are eligible and who complete the application and payment process on time are accommodated on school transport where such services are in operation. Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis, where seats are available after all eligible applicants have been accommodated on school transport services.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children with special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability.
In general, children with special educational needs are eligible for school transport if they are attending the nearest school that is resourced to meet their special educational needs.
Eligibility for the Special Educational Needs transport scheme is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).