Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
562. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Education her plans to alleviate the cost of private school bus fees in view of her Department’s recent announcement that school bus fees will be waived for the academic year 2022/2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37776/22]
View answer575. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to partly subsidising those children who travel to school on private buses given the recent announcement on free bus transport for those in the school transport scheme for 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37997/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 562 and 575 together.
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.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kms from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only. Concessionary transport is subject to a number of terms and conditions including the availability of spare seats on an existing service. The availability of concessionary transport may vary from year to year and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s education cycle.
Routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis.
Commercial contractors who provide transport for schools on a private hire or commercial basis but who are not contracted by Bus Éireann to operate on the Department’s School Transport Scheme do not fall under the remit of the Department of Education.
