Seán Sherlock
Question:1076. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education when the school transport portal will reopen following her announcement of the fees' waiver. [40349/22]
View answerTuesday, 26 July 2022
Questions (1076)
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 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.
As you are aware, I recently announced initiatives to assist families with back to school costs. In recognition that this is an expensive time of year for families, I have put in place measures worth over €17m which will ensure free school transport for families availing of the school transport scheme in the 2022/2023 school year. This measure will provide families with savings of up to €500 on the cost of tickets.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time and who proceed to confirm to Bus Éireann that they require a ticket by the 29th July 2022 will be accommodated on school transport services for the 2022/23 school year where such services are in operation. The closing date for application for the 2022/23 school year was Friday 29th April 2022.
Late applicants are not guaranteed a seat and will only be allocated a seat if capacity is available.
Bus Éireann have advised they informed parents via email, notification on their website and through social media that the Family Portal re-opened on Friday 15th July 2022.