Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
554. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if a late school transport application will be accepted from a student (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37697/22]
View answerSchool 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 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 my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 4.8kms at post-primary and are attending their nearest School/Education Centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
The closing date for school transport applications for the 2022/23 school year was Friday, 29th April 2022. Bus Éireann has advised that an application for the pupil referred to by the Deputy was received on 6th July 2022
Applications received after the deadline may not secure a seat on a service and will not be considered for a remote area grant.
Bus Éireann, which operates the school transport scheme on behalf of the Department, will contact all applicants regarding their eligibility for school transport.
