Written Answers Nos. 288-307
288. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education the number of persons employed in her Department that have a formal agreement to work from home one day per week, two days per week and five days per week; her 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. [44576/22]
View answerA phased return to physical attendance in the workplace commenced for staff members in my Department following the easing of Government restrictions earlier this year. The majority of staff of my Department are currently attending the office for a minimum of two days per week and working remotely for the remaining days.
Following the publication of the Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service by my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, my Department has developed a draft blended working policy based on the overarching framework, tailored to its business requirements. Consultation on this policy is currently underway with staff representatives. Once agreed and rolled out, staff members will be eligible to make applications to work remotely for a number of days per week. This will require the approval of line management, in line with the parameters set out in the Department’s blended working policy in relation to the maximum number of remote working days permitted.
As per the overall Framework and in line with the Department’s policy, staff members will not be permitted to work 100% remotely and managers will be instructed not to facilitate that form of working arrangement.
290. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education her plans to improve the pension and pay conditions of cleaning staff in schools in line with other school staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44595/22]
View answerThe majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools receive assistance to provide for cleaning services under grant schemes. The level and extent of services provided is a matter for the school authorities who, through the discretion afforded by the schemes, apply their own arrangements as resources permit. Schools may elect to contract services from a commercial service provider or to employ individuals directly to provide cleaning services. Where a school elects to employ someone directly to support this function, that individual is a direct employee of the individual school and responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school / Board of Management.
291. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education her plans, if any, to increase the capitation grant for primary schools in order to combat the increases in energy prices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44632/22]
View answerMy Department provides funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating, lighting etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. These grants may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities. I have committed to seeking funding for further increases in the capitation in future budgets.
My Department has also ensured that centrally negotiated rates are available to schools for electricity and bulk heating fuels. These rates are available through existing frameworks sourced by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) which run until 2024. OGP has run competitions specifically for Schools at a national level and the Schools Procurement Unit and the Department has communicated with schools and school management bodies informing them of the options available to them through these national arrangements. It is planned to run future competitions to ensure that bulk rates continue to be available from 2024 onwards. Information on how to avail of these arrangements is available via the Schools Procurement Unit website, www.spu.ie
Furthermore, my Department is at the forefront of design with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification and is advancing a number of programmes to further develop this.
The Energy in Education website portal and advice programme (Joint programme between SEAI and Dept. of Education) also assists schools reduce their energy consumption and empowers participating schools and pupils to learn the benefits of sustainability www.energyineducation.ie. Typically savings of between 5 to 10% are identified through low and no cost measures, while some schools participating have identified potential savings of up to 15 % or more.
I am very conscious of the cost of living pressures facing families and schools. In advance of this year's Budget I will engage with my Cabinet colleagues to continue to deliver on my priorities to support the students, staff, and families within the education sector and to address these pressures.
292. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education her plans, if any, to increase the capitation grant for secondary schools in order to combat the increases in energy prices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44633/22]
View answerMy Department provides funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating, lighting etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. These grants may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities. I have committed to seeking funding for further increases in the capitation in future budgets.
My Department has also ensured that centrally negotiated rates are available to schools for electricity and bulk heating fuels. These rates are available through existing frameworks sourced by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) which run until 2024. OGP has run competitions specifically for Schools at a national level and the Schools Procurement Unit and the Department has communicated with schools and school management bodies informing them of the options available to them through these national arrangements. It is planned to run future competitions to ensure that bulk rates continue to be available from 2024 onwards. Information on how to avail of these arrangements is available via the Schools Procurement Unit website, www.spu.ie
Furthermore, my Department is at the forefront of design with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification and is advancing a number of programmes to further develop this.
The Energy in Education website portal and advice programme (Joint programme between SEAI and Dept. of Education) also assists schools reduce their energy consumption and empowers participating schools and pupils to learn the benefits of sustainability www.energyineducation.ie. Typically savings of between 5 to 10% are identified through low and no cost measures, while some schools participating have identified potential savings of up to 15% or more.
I am very conscious of the cost of living pressures facing families and schools. In advance of this year's Budget I will engage with my Cabinet colleagues to continue to deliver on my priorities to support the students, staff, and families within the education sector and to address these pressures.
293. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of additional ASD classes in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44634/22]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 Billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes additional teaching and care supports.
As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
Over the last two years, my Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year. My Department and the NCSE continue to work very closely in planning for the delivery of new places required to meet forecasted demand.
I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen 383 new special classes open, bringing the total of special classes to 2535 opened nationwide for the 2022/23 school-year. The 383 new special classes for 22/23 is broken down by 253 at primary and 130 at post primary.
The list of classes for the 22/23 school year is available on the NCSE website (as of 6 July) and is available at the link below.
06Jul22_Special-Classes-for-publication-2022_2023.pdf (ncse.ie)
The NCSE have informed the Department the school currently has one ASD special class. A second ASD special class is due to open in September 2023.
294. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the status of the provision of additional ASD classes in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44635/22]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question and would like to advise the following:
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this Government.
This year, my Department will spend in excess of €2 billion, or over 25% of the Department’s budget on providing a wide range of schemes and supports for children with special educational needs.
This includes additional teaching and care supports.
As a result, the number of special education teachers, special needs assistants and special class and school places are at unprecedented levels.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has responsibility for coordinating and advising on the education provision for children nationwide.
Over the last two years, my Department and the NCSE have worked closely on a more streamlined and joined up planning process which has ensured a targeted approach to meet demand for special needs placements ahead of each new school-year. My Department and the NCSE continue to work very closely in planning for the delivery of new places required to meet forecasted demand.
I am satisfied that this more joined up approach is delivering. Through this intensive intervention, we have seen 383 new special classes open, bringing the total of special classes to 2535 opened nationwide for the 2022/23 school-year. The 383 new special classes for 22/23 is broken down by 253 at primary and 130 at post primary.
The list of classes for the 22/23 school year is available on the NCSE website (as of 6 July) and is available at the link below.
06Jul22_Special-Classes-for-publication-2022_2023.pdf (ncse.ie)
The NCSE have informed the Department that a new school building is under construction. On completion it will include two new ASD special class. They are scheduled to open in September 2023.
295. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education her plans, if any, to increase the ancillary grants for minor works for secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44636/22]
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.While the standard Minor Works Grant is only payable to Primary Schools, €87m funding was provided to Post Primary Schools as an enhanced Minor Works Grant during 2020 and 2021. This additional grant funding provided good flexibility at local level to assist schools to manage in the COVID-19 environment and to put more sustainable arrangements in place in the context of Covid-19. Furthermore, schools at Post Primary Level can apply for funding under the Department’s appropriate School Building Programmes: Summer Works Scheme for funding to undertake small-scale building works and Emergency Works Grant for funding for urgent works to schools that need resources as a result of an emergency situation, or to cater for special needs pupils who have enrolled. Since 2018, there has been in excess of €3 billion invested in Capital Infrastructure in the Education Sector for Schools at Primary and Post Primary level. My Department provides funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating, lighting etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. These grants may be regarded as a common grant, from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities within the guidelines of DPER Circular 13/14, where the funding must be used for the purposes in which it was given for. I have committed to seeking funding for further increases in the capitation in future budgets.
296. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if she will consider including training for teachers to work in ASD classes as part of the trainee teachers’ curriculum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44637/22]
View answerThrough Initial Teacher Education (ITE), providing inclusive education to children with special educational needs, including those with autism, is a fundamental principle of the Department's education and training system.
Under Section 38 of the Teaching Council Act, all initial teacher education programmes must be accredited by the Teaching Council for registration purposes.
The Teaching Council reviewed its policy on standards for programmes of ITE and published updated standards in November 2020. Inclusive Education has been strengthened in the revised standards which recognise the diverse range of needs that teachers encounter in the course of their teaching, regardless of setting, and specifically reference additional learning needs such as autism in this context. As part of the Review and Accreditation process, all programmes of ITE will have to provide evidence of how the core elements are explored and examined with student teachers during the course of their programme.
In addition, the Department is currently working on a policy statement for ITE which we anticipate will be published later this year. The objective of the policy statement is to document the current policy and provision for ITE at primary and post-primary level in order to increase clarity to the system. The Department also intends to set out its vision for the sector along with a plan of action to achieve this over the coming decade.
We have invited a range of advocacy groups to meet with Department officials who are drafting the policy statement, including groups that advocate on behalf of children with autism. We want to ensure that teachers are equipped to support all learners at school in the coming years. The Department welcomes their contributions and anticipate that they will provide a valuable insight into how ITE can be improved so that teachers are fully prepared to support all learners to reach their full potential.
The Department also provides for a range of placement options and supports for schools, which have enrolled pupils with special educational needs, in order to ensure that wherever a child is enrolled, s/he will have access to an appropriate education.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which is a separate statutory agency, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), is responsible for the provision of special educational needs supports to schools.
The NCSE supports schools to build their capacity to support the inclusion of all children through a suite of professional learning opportunities. Each of the seminars and resources designed within the NCSE has been aligned with Cosán, the national framework for teacher’s learning. The NCSE offers teachers a range of seminars and workshops for teachers in the area of autism.
The Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) through their Primary, Language, Literacy, Reading Recovery & Gaeilge supports for teachers, promote inclusive pedagogies and approaches that benefit all learners, including early literacy intervention models. The new primary language curriculum and support materials are based on best practices grounded in research for language and literacy for all learners in all contexts.
297. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education if capital funding has been allocated for a school (details supplied) in order to provide an ASD class; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44638/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.
The purpose of the ASA scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream classroom and Special Education Needs (SEN) accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year, where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
A decision on the school's most recent application under the ASA scheme has issued directly to the school authority in this context and my officials are in touch with them in this regard.
298. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education her plans, if any, to change the criteria for eligibility to become a DEIS school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44639/22]
View answerIn March I was glad to be able to announce a major expansion of the DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools programme which means that, for the first time since 2017, the programme is being significantly expanded and eligible schools will now gain access to targeted supports to address educational disadvantage. This will add an additional €32 million to my Department’s expenditure on the DEIS programme from 2023, bringing the 2023 allocation to in the region of €180 million.
Schools were identified for inclusion in the programme through the refined DEIS identification model which is an objective, statistics based model. Schools were not required to apply for inclusion in the DEIS programme and the model has been applied fairly and equally to all schools.
The DEIS identification process aims to identify those schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage or the highest proportion of students from disadvantaged backgrounds within a school. The model uses information from the school’s individual enrolment database and 2016 national census data as represented by the Pobal HP Deprivation index. The model takes into account the student cohort and the relative disadvantage within a given school. The DEIS identification model takes into consideration the significant educational disadvantage experienced by Traveller and Roma learners and by students residing in direct provision or emergency homeless accommodation.
A detailed paper on the refined DEIS identification model is available on gov.ie at www.gov.ie/en/publication/a3c9e-extension-of-deis-to-further-schools/#how-schools-were-selected-for-inclusion-in-deis
Schools that were not satisfied with the outcome following the application of the DEIS identification model to their school enrolment data were provided with the opportunity to have that outcome reviewed. The details of the Appeals process is outlined in Circular 0019/2022 which can be found on the gov.ie website.
It is important to note that the extension of the DEIS programme to new schools is just one phase of work in my vision for an inclusive education system which supports all learners to achieve their potential. While the DEIS programme supports those schools with the highest levels of concentrated educational disadvantage, I recognise that there are students at risk of educational disadvantage in all schools. Conscious of this, and recognising the need to target resources to those schools that need them most, the next phase of work will explore the allocation of resources to schools to tackle educational disadvantage. Part of this programme of work will involve consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
In addition to this, following the National Census 2022 held on 3 April last it is envisaged that an updated HP Deprivation Index will be generated by Pobal and will be available in Q3 of 2023. My Department will engage with Pobal in relation to this process. The updated HP Deprivation Index, when available, can be considered by my Department to inform future resource allocation to tackle educational disadvantage.
299. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the average primary school class size in the Clondalkin area; the national average of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44640/22]
View answerThe average class size for primary schools in the Clondalkin area is 22.1 and the national average is 22.8
The above figures are calculated from the 2021-22 primary class size tables, the most recent available, which are published on our website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/class-size-information-at-individual-primary-school-level/
Note: Clondalkin schools are all mainstream primary schools in the primary class size tables containing Clondalkin or Cluain Dolcáin in their address fields.
300. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Education the number of children that are on waiting lists for the National Educational Psychological Service in Dublin Mid-West; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44641/22]
View answerMy Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries arising, and access to individual pupil casework where there is need via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
NEPS does not maintain waiting lists, but in common with many other psychological services and best international practice, has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution oriented consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Where reasonable progress is not made, following a school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, a psychologist will become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment. This system allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually.
301. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Education if she will provide details of the emergency funding and response strategy that is being prepared by her Department in order to support schools in dealing with rising electricity and heating costs in the 2022/2023 academic year. [44644/22]
View answerMy Department provides funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating, lighting etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. These grants may be regarded as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities. I have committed to seeking funding for further increases in the capitation in future budgets.
My Department has also ensured that centrally negotiated rates are available to schools for electricity and bulk heating fuels. These rates are available through existing frameworks sourced by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) which run until 2024. OGP has run competitions specifically for Schools at a national level and the Schools Procurement Unit and the Department has communicated with schools and school management bodies informing them of the options available to them through these national arrangements. It is planned to run future competitions to ensure that bulk rates continue to be available from 2024 onwards. Information on how to avail of these arrangements is available via the Schools Procurement Unit website, www.spu.ie
Furthermore, my Department is at the forefront of design with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification and is advancing a number of programmes to further develop this.
The Energy in Education website portal and advice programme (Joint programme between SEAI and Dept. of Education) also assists schools reduce their energy consumption and empowers participating schools and pupils to learn the benefits of sustainability www.energyineducation.ie. Typically savings of between 5 to 10% are identified through low and no cost measures, while some schools participating have identified potential savings of up to 15 % or more.
I am very conscious of the cost of living pressures facing families and schools. In advance of this year's Budget I will engage with my Cabinet colleagues to continue to deliver on my priorities to support the students, staff, and families within the education sector and to address these pressures.
303. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education the reason that her Department is not giving up the lease on a former school building (details supplied) which has been lying idle for the past five years and is starting to fall into disrepair; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44684/22]
View answerMy Department have established current and future permanent accommodation requirements in the area referred to by the Deputy. The former school building referred to is under consideration to meet some of these requirements.
A decision on the former school's existing lease can be made once these considerations are complete.
304. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Education if she will address the case of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44690/22]
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 29 April and registered for a ticket by 29 July.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for ineligible 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 this family referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for school transport under the terms of the school transport scheme and were unsuccessful in obtaining a seat on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year as the existing service is operating to capacity.
305. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when school transport will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44691/22]
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 29 April and registered for a ticket by 29 July.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for ineligible 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 as capacity on the service is full.
306. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when school transport will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44692/22]
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, are 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.
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 29 April and registered for a ticket by 29 July.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible for school transport under the terms of the scheme but was unsuccessful in obtaining a seat on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year as they did not complete the ticket registration process by the closing date of 29 July. All existing services in this area are currently operating at capacity.
307. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education when school transport will be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44693/22]
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.
I am pleased to advise that the child referred to by the Deputy is eligible under the terms of the scheme and was issued a ticket on board a school transport service for the 2022/23 school year.
