Written Answers Nos. 248-267
248. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement that his Department has had with disability groups in relation to developing the online passport system given that some disabilities can affect passport photographs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44852/22]
View answer249. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his Department’s plans, if any, to make the passport application and renewal process more disability-friendly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44853/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.
My Department is committed to helping people with disabilities to access its services, and engages with disability services to provide training and awareness courses for staff covering areas as defined under the Disability Act 2005.
Passport Online has been designed to be very accessible. In developing the Passport Online service a significant focus was placed on ensuring that a high level of accessibility was reached from the beginning. In the request for tender for the website development contract a minimum of conformance level AA with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 was required. The contractor who was awarded the tender agreed to develop the website to the principles of Perceivable, Operable, Understandable and Robust, which are the principles of WCAG 2.0.
Specific accessibility-focused user experience testing was conducted by an external agency during August 2018, where five users of different demographics, technical abilities and needs were sourced to test the online platform using screen readers, screen magnification and speech recognition. The testing included persons who are partially sighted, colour blind, have dyslexia and other cognitive issues, and are arthritic. All users were successful in navigating the website and completing the online application process, the reporting noting that the feedback was very positive. The testing was also useful in highlighting some areas for improvement which have since been addressed.
The Passport Service also met with the AsIAm charity during July 2018 where a discussion around the specific needs of persons with autism was held and a demonstration of the Passport Online service was provided. Feedback from AsIAm was very positive with references to the simple and clear layout and sufficient white space throughout the online process.
As certain application types cover complex areas such as guardianship, the Passport Service places the utmost importance on using plain English throughout the application process. Following a number of internal workshops using the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Customer Communications Toolkit to simplify the language, the Passport Service engaged the National Adult Literary Agency (NALA) who reviewed all screens in the application process and suggested a number of changes to ensure the service is understandable and accessible to all. In 2019, the Passport Service won the National Adult Literary Agency (NALA) award for Plain English for the Passport Online Renewal service.
An external and independent body conducted an Access and Sensory Audit of the Passport Service's public offices in Mount St, Dublin in 2020.
In cases where passport applicants have a medical condition or disability that means that the standard passport photo guidelines cannot be met, the Passport Online service offers a medical indicator option when submitting a digital passport photo.
When applying online, passport applicants or their parents can tick the medical indicator box on the passport photo page. This allows the photo to pass through the system as part of the application process. The passport photo submitted will then be reviewed by a member of the Passport Service staff.
In accordance with section 26 of the Disability Act 2005, my Department has an appointed Access Officer who is responsible for ensuring that help and advice are given to people with disabilities who wish to access our services.
The Access Officer can be contacted through a form on my Department’s website, here: www.dfa.ie/about-us/contact-us/contact-access-officer/
Alternatively, the Access Officer can be contacted by post at the following address:
Access Officer
Human Resources HQ
Department of Foreign Affairs
76-78 Harcourt Street
Dublin 2
D02 DX45
Customers can also contact my Department's Disability Inquiry Officer via the website (www.dfa.ie/about-us/contact-us/) and their case will be communicated to the Passport Service who can facilitate their request. The Inquiry Officer will investigate any complaints made under Section 38 of the Disability Act.
A member of the public who may require the assistance of an Irish Sign Language Interpreter during an appointment at the Passport Service public office can indicate this when booking their appointment online. A dedicated member of staff will be available to interpret and assist during their appointment.
Passport Customer Service is available Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4:30pm by phone or WebChat on my Department's website (www.dfa.ie/passports). These facilities offer all customers live interaction with customer service officers who can advise on matters relating to the passport application process.
The Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance the provision of this essential service to all of our citizens.
250. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts that are being made to assist nations in the Horn of Africa in dealing with severe food shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44858/22]
View answerThe Horn of Africa is facing a rapidly deteriorating food security crisis, as a result of a four-season drought, protracted and new conflicts, and the global impact of the war in Ukraine.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Irish Aid programme, has responded over the past eighteen months with over €74 million in direct humanitarian aid to countries in the region, working with partners on the ground to deliver lifesaving assistance to those who need it most. Recognising the recurrent nature of drought crises in the region, we are also investing in anticipatory action to mitigate the impact of future shocks. These interventions complement the Irish Aid investment of over €33 million in development funding over the last two years to communities across the Horn of Africa, including in partnership with Irish NGOs, to help address the underlying causes of food insecurity and to build community resilience.
I visited Kenya and South Sudan at the end of August, and witnessed first-hand the devastation caused by the drought and the impact of the crisis on vulnerable communities in the region. On 6 September, I announced an additional funding package of €3.2 million to respond to growing needs in the Horn of Africa, including €1.5 million to Irish NGO partners already active in the region delivering life-saving assistance to those most in need and €500,000 to UNICEF responding to child malnutrition.
In addition to direct humanitarian assistance, communities in the Horn are being supported through Ireland’s contributions to multilateral humanitarian action, such as the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), which reacts immediately to crises as they happen. Ireland is the eighth largest contributor to CERF, providing €11.5 million in 2022. Since 2021, the CERF has allocated over $302 million for emergency relief across the region.
Ireland is also a consistent advocate for increased support to the Horn of Africa at a global level. On 26 April we delivered a statement at the high-level roundtable chaired by the UN and the EU on the drought in the Horn, at which member states pledged $1.3bn to the humanitarian response. On 7 July, Minister Coveney met with UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed in New York to discuss the situation in the Horn of Africa, including opportunities for greater EU-UN coordination in the collective response to the crisis.
More broadly, Ireland has been a long-standing champion of global efforts to reduce hunger and malnutrition, working with a range of partners to address the worst consequences of food insecurity. As focal point on hunger and conflict at the Security Council, we have highlighted the underlying causes of food insecurity and the links between conflict and hunger, together with the impact of climate change.
We have underlined the importance of the recent conclusions approved by the Foreign Affairs Council on the Team Europe response to global food insecurity. The EU has pledged over €600 million in support of the Horn of Africa. As part of the overall EU Global Food Security Response, the EU has identified a total contribution of over €5 billion in humanitarian and development assistance for global food security from 2021 to 2024.
251. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he has had interaction with the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland with a view to improving relations between London, Dublin and Belfast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44909/22]
View answerI spoke to the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heatton Harris, on 7 September immediately following his appointment. We had a constructive phone call where we discussed a number of matters, including our shared priority of addressing the ongoing absence of the power-sharing Executive and Assembly in Northern Ireland. I underlined the importance of the partnership approach between our two governments and our responsibilities as co-Guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement. We also discussed plans for future engagement such as the forthcoming BIIGC and our intention to meet together in person in the weeks ahead. I look forward to working closely with the Secretary of State and his team.
I will remain in close contact with the Secretary of State and indeed with the Northern Ireland political parties in the period ahead. Strong relationships and honest conversations East-West and North-South must and should remain at the heart of this Government's approach. I firmly believe that by working together in a spirit of cooperation we can jointly find solutions to the range of issues facing Northern Ireland.
252. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44942/22]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
253. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a citizenship application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45094/22]
View answerMy Department is responsible for processing Foreign Birth Registration (FBR) applications for people who are born abroad and claim Irish Citizenship through a grandparent born in Ireland or through a parent who has claimed citizenship also through FBR, Naturalisation or Post Nuptial Citizenship.
Demand for this service increased significantly as a result of the Brexit vote in the UK. The service was also impacted by necessary Covid-19 restrictions in 2020 and 2021 and the unprecedented demand for passports seen to date in 2022.
My Department is currently putting in place a number of measures that will address the volume of FBR applications currently on hand with a view to significantly reducing the processing time for these citizenship applications by the end of this year.
Supporting documentation for the application to which the Deputy has referred was received on 23 February 2022, and is being stored in a secure environment.
254. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the number of persons employed in his Department that have a formal agreement to work from home one day per week, two days per week and five days per week; his Department’s policy in respect of facilitating requests by persons to work from home; and the number of persons that have made requests to work from home in 2021 and to date in 2022, that have been declined. [44575/22]
View answerSince the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department, in line with other civil and public service organisations, has adhered to public health advice and to the Guidance for Public Service Employers published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This has meant employees working from home, but also attending the workplace to carry out essential work that cannot be discharged from home.
A central government policy, the Civil Service Blended Working Framework was launched by Minister Michael McGrath and Minister Ossian Smyth on 31st March 2022. The Blended Working Policy Framework provides an overarching framework to inform the development of blended working policies in Government Departments and Offices and to ensure a consistency of approach across the Public Service. In recent months, in line with this framework, my Department finalised its Blended Working Policy tailored to the specific business needs of my Department. This policy allows for employees to apply, through the centralised online application system facilitated by the National Shared Services Organisation, for three days remote working each week.
My Department has now, this month, opened up the application process for blended working and formal agreements are currently being considered.
There were no formal requests to work from home in 2021 or in 2022 to date. Prior to the finalisation of the Blended Working Policy, remote working and office attendance took place in line with public health advice.
255. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the engagement that she has had with other Departments on the matter of school transport since June 2022; and if she will publish any correspondence shared on same. [43366/22]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were 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.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the 2022/2023 school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
School Transport ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
In the normal course of Dáil business I engage with other Ministers on a regular basis on a wide range of issues. I also receive representations from Ministerial colleagues in relation to a wide range of issues, including school transport matters.
With regard to the waiving of school transport fees for the 2022/2023 school year, on 26th July 2022 I submitted a memo to Cabinet asking Government to agree to the following:
- In light of the increasing cost of living and with a view to easing the financial burden on families, that as part of a set of initiatives to assist families with Back to School costs, students availing of the school transport scheme will not be charged fees for the academic year 2022/23. This is a temporary measure for the current year only.
- Pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, that Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level be continued for the 2022/2023 school year.
On 27th July 2022 a Government Decision issued, agreeing to these proposals.
256. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the position regarding progress on the development of a new permanent school building for a school (details supplied). [44371/22]
View answerThe building project referred to by the Deputy is advancing through the tender process. Subject to no issues arising, it is currently envisaged that works could commence in Quarter 4 with a completion timeframe of approximately 18 months.
257. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education the position regarding the transfer of a school (details supplied). [44372/22]
View answerIt is intended that the school referred to by the Deputy will relocate to an existing school building currently occupied on an interim basis by a special school while awaiting the construction of a building project for their school.
In this regard, the tender process for the special school building project is ongoing and it is currently envisaged that works could commence in Quarter 4 of 2022.
258. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education the percentage allocation for continuous assessment for each Leaving Certificate subject in 2019; and the percentage allocation for each subject post 2019, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44374/22]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when school transport is likely to be provided in the case of a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44377/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres 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 eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year pending completion of the review of the School Transport Scheme. This will mean that transport arrangements will continue to be provided for a number of post-primary students who are attending their second nearest school, who have applied and registered on time and who live more than 4.8km from their nearest school. Families who normally would pay an annual ticket charge will not be charged a fee for their school bus ticket for the 2022/23 school.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann have confirmed that the family concerned are not eligible for School Transport under the terms of the Scheme. The existing service is currently operating to capacity and there are no seats available at present.
260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when school transport is likely to be provided in the case of a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44378/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres 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 eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year pending completion of the review of the School Transport Scheme. This will mean that transport arrangements will continue to be provided for a number of post-primary students who are attending their second nearest school, who have applied and registered on time and who live more than 4.8km from their nearest school.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if a school transport service has been approved from Straffan to Maynooth for the academic year 2022/2023 given its existence in previous years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44379/22]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were 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.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
As of 13th September 2022, 124,000 tickets for the 2022/2023 school year have been issued to applicants for the new school year. The number of tickets allocated will continue to change on a daily basis as Bus Éireann continue to process all remaining applications.
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available, as Bus Éireann are continuing to process applications and to issue tickets as soon as extra buses and drivers are sourced and become available to provide transport for the higher numbers qualifying for the service.
The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply.
Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school.
At post-primary level students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time and who confirmed 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.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary, applicants and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat on when all eligible children have been catered for.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible pupils/students and the priority of providing places for eligible ticket holders, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education if a school transport service has been approved from Kilcock to Maynooth Education Campus (details supplied) for the academic year 2022/2023 given its existence in previous years and given that a number of students from Kilcock, who received tickets in previous years, did not receive a ticket this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44380/22]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were 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.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
As of 1st September 2022, 121,000 tickets for the 2022/2023 school year have been issued to applicants for the new school year. The number of tickets allocated will continue to change on a daily basis as Bus Éireann continue to process all remaining applications.
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available, as Bus Éireann are continuing to process applications and to issue tickets as soon as extra buses and drivers are sourced and become available to provide transport for the higher numbers qualifying for the service.
The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply.
Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school.
At post-primary level students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.
All children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time and who confirmed 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.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary, applicants and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat on when all eligible children have been catered for.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible pupils/students and the priority of providing places for eligible ticket holders, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when school transport is likely to be provided in the case of a student (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44381/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply and tickets continue to be allocated in line with this criteria. Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
In line with normal practice, all eligible children who completed the application and ticket registration process on time for the 2022/2023 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year. Under these measures, which were initially introduced in 2019, transport will provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is not eligible for school transport under the terms of the school transport scheme and was unsuccessful in obtaining a seat on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year.
264. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Education the school projects, including large scale new schools, large scale extensions, ADAPT schools and small-scale extensions that have been completed in the past three years; the schools that are under construction; the schools that were secured in the Capital Plan for new build and large-scale extensions and small extensions in County Donegal in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44387/22]
View answerUnder Project Ireland 2040, the education sector will receive a total of approximately €4.4 billion capital investment over the period 2021-2025. This significant investment allows us to move forward with certainty on our ambitious plans and deliver high quality building projects, with a real focus on sustainability, for school communities across Ireland. This investment will build on the good progress being made on adding capacity to cater for demographic changes and provision for children with special educational needs. This investment will also facilitate an increased focus on the modernisation of existing school stock and help transition the school system for an era of net zero carbon by 2050.
My Department has a large pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme. The main elements of this pipeline currently involve in excess of 1,300 school building projects for delivery under the Department’s Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme. These projects are currently in progress across the various stages of planning, design, tender and construction. Most of which are expected to be either under construction or completed in the period up to 2025 and are being progressed as quickly as possible.
Attached list of all ongoing projects in Donegal and list of all projects completed in the county under the NDP since 2018.
A list of all completed and ongoing capital projects under the Large Scale and Additional Accommodation Scheme, in county order, from 2010 to date may be viewed on my Department’s website at www.education.ie.
265. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Education the status of the review of the primary school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44393/22]
View answer315. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education her plans to reform and modernise the school transport scheme. [44746/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 265 and 315 together.
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures. Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
School transport is a hugely important service for families. My Department commenced a review of the School Transport Scheme in February 2021. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
The scope of the review encompasses the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs and the Primary and Post-Primary School Transport Schemes in terms of how each element of the schemes currently operate, to include eligibility criteria, trends, costs and cost drivers, and overall effectiveness in meeting the objectives of the schemes.
The review will also examine the potential for integration of different strands of the scheme and a more co-ordinated approach with other Government Departments that also use transport services. The review will consider issues such as climate action, supporting rural development and promoting where possible initiatives that encourage walking and cycling to school.
Following commencement of the review the Steering Group presented me with an initial interim report in June 2021, with regard to eligibility and with an examination of issues for mainstream pupils relating to the nearest and next nearest school.
Following consideration of this report, for the 2021/2022 school year, I approved the extension of temporary alleviation measures for transport for post-primary students who are otherwise eligible for school transport but are attending their second nearest school and have applied and paid on time. These measures will be continued for the current school year, pending completion of the review and means transport will be provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.
Wider considerations relating to operation of the scheme are now taking place in the second phase of the review. As part of this phase of the review, the Technical Working Group has undertaken extensive consultation; including running a public survey for parents/guardians and students who use the service and those who do not use the service but who would like to. The Group has also consulted with a broad array of stakeholders including schools, special education interest groups, industry representatives and other Government Departments.
The Steering Group will continue to report to me on an interim basis as the review progresses.
While work on the review is being impacted somewhat by challenges including the pandemic and the impact on resources arising from the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, it is anticipated that the completion of the final phases of the review will be in the shortest timeframe possible.
266. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of an appeal for school transport (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44407/22]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. In the last school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
In July 2022, Government announced funding for the waiving of school transport scheme fees for the coming school year as part of a wider package of cost of living measures.
Ticket registration for the 2022/23 school year closed on 29 July by which time almost 130,000 applications/registrations were received for mainstream school transport. This figure includes 44,299 new applications as well as roll-overs from the previous school year.
The normal eligibility criteria of the scheme still apply and tickets continue to be allocated in line with this criteria. Pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible.
Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
In line with normal practice, all eligible children who completed the application and ticket registration process on time for the 2022/2023 school year will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
In addition, pending completion of the outcome of the full review of the School Transport Scheme, Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level will be continued for the 2022/2023 school year. Under these measures, which were initially introduced in 2019, transport will provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied by the 29th April and registered for a ticket by the 29th July.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
On 2nd September 2022, an appeal in respect of this application was lodged with the School Transport Appeals Board. The Board will liaise directly with the appellant when the appeal is due for consideration.
267. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education the stage that school transport applications for students (details supplied) are at; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44450/22]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department. In the past school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, were transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
My Department and Bus Éireann will continue to provide School Transport Scheme services in line with the process that was in place for the 2021/2022 school year for children arriving to Ireland from Ukraine. Full information on the process is available on Gov.ie.
Children who for the first time require School Transport for the 2022/2023 school year will need to apply in line with this process. Due to the ongoing situation with accommodation, where there has been, and may continue to be, significant movement of families, all Ukrainian children who had availed of School Transport for the 2021/22 school year need to re-apply for transport for the 2022/23 school year in line with this process.
Applications continue to be received on a daily basis as families are relocated or as new families arrive.
School transport can only be arranged once the School Transport Section have been made aware of transport needs for children arriving from Ukraine. For safety reasons only children who have applied for school transport may travel on that transport.
While every effort will be made to ensure school transport services are up and running as they are required, given the ongoing movement and arrival of families, it may in some cases take some time to arrange services for families as information becomes available for those who require school transport.
