Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1147. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Education the number of applications that have been received for school transport in 2021 and 2022, in tabular form broken down by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41351/22]
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.
Under the terms of the School Transport Schemes 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.
Bus Éireann have advised that the total number of mainstream applications received to date for the 2022/23 school year is 145616. This figure includes all mainstream applications received including roll-over applications from the previous school years, closed applications, grant applications, concessionary no service applications, late eligible and concessionary applications.
As the Bus Éireann family portal still remains open for applications until 29th July 2022, the total number of applications for school transport for the 2022/2023 is likely to change. This information cannot be provided by County at this time.
Bus Éireann have provided the following table which includes all mainstream applications received including roll-over applications from the previous school years, closed applications, grant applications, concessionary no service applications, late eligible and concessionary applications, concessionary P2 applications.
They have advised the 2020/21 school year data is accurate as of 24/05/2021 and the 2021/22school year data is accurate as of 23/05/2022.
|
Total number of applications - Mainstream |
||
|
SCYR2020/21 |
SCYR2021/22 |
|
|
County |
||
|
Carlow |
2525 |
2663 |
|
Cavan |
4123 |
4384 |
|
Clare |
3980 |
4070 |
|
Cork |
17373 |
18475 |
|
Donegal |
10187 |
10675 |
|
Dublin |
3285 |
3538 |
|
Galway |
10426 |
11096 |
|
Kerry |
5804 |
6051 |
|
Kildare |
6790 |
6950 |
|
Kilkenny |
3960 |
4253 |
|
Laois |
1958 |
2047 |
|
Leitrim |
2242 |
2312 |
|
Limerick |
5810 |
5820 |
|
Longford |
2542 |
2644 |
|
Louth |
4152 |
4418 |
|
Mayo |
5765 |
5856 |
|
Meath |
6191 |
6371 |
|
Monaghan |
4033 |
4143 |
|
Offaly |
3221 |
3239 |
|
Roscommon |
2081 |
2159 |
|
Sligo |
2284 |
2414 |
|
Tipperary |
5876 |
6181 |
|
Waterford |
3086 |
3283 |
|
Westmeath |
3299 |
3500 |
|
Wexford |
6670 |
7123 |
|
Wicklow |
4338 |
4351 |
|
Total |
132001 |
138016 |
