Thursday, 15 Sep 2022

School Accommodation

Questions (230)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

230. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the status of a funding application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45212/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

I can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme, from the school in question.

The application is currently under assessment by my officials and the school authority will be contacted directly with a decision upon completion of the assessment process.

School Transport

Questions (231)

Marian Harkin

Question:

231. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Education if school transport will be provided as a matter of urgency for named persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45222/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

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.

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.

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.

School Transport

Questions (232)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

232. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education when a school bus escort will be confirmed for a child (details supplied) who is currently without transport. [45224/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

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, 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 my Department’s School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for school transport where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability and are attending the nearest recognised school/class that is resourced to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers.

An application for transport for children with Special Educational Needs was recently submitted on behal of the pupil referred to by the Deputy. This pupil is eligible for school transport and Bus Éireann has been sanctioned to source an individual service to provide transport to and from school; they will liaise directly with the family in this regard.

Sanction has also issued to the school for an Escort for this transport service. The School Management Authority has responsibility for employing School Bus Escorts where a child’s care and safety needs while on school transport are such to require the support of an escort.

In the meantime, the family can apply for the Special Transport Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. The family can contact School Transport Section in my Department at: school_transport@education.gov.ie where officials will be happy to assist with any queries they may have.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (233)

Seán Haughey

Question:

233. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education if the grant awarded to a school (details supplied) under the summer works scheme in 2019 will be increased given that the cost of the heating works have substantially increased since then; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45236/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

St David’s CBS in Artane was approved funding under the Summer Works Scheme for the upgrade of the heating system at the school.

Following a tender process, the school authority appointed a consultant to progress the project. When the consultant attended the site to conduct survey works related to the proposed heating upgrade project, the consultant advised that a full review and assessment of the building fabric was required to be carried out by a specialist, prior to any heating upgrade works being started. It should be noted that this school is a protected structure.

The project is currently being considered within the Dept. and a decision on same will be made in the near future. The Dept. will be in contact with the school directly thereafter.

School Staff

Questions (234)

Paul Kehoe

Question:

234. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education when a form will be returned to an applicant (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45249/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

In relation to the teacher referred to by the Deputy, I can advise that the form has been processed and returned to the teacher by the Payroll Division of my Department.

School Textbooks

Questions (235)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

235. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the way that she will address the expense of schoolbooks which must be updated each year, adding to the back-to-school costs for parents with multiple children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45262/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

As Minister for Education, I am acutely aware of the costs faced by families upon the return of their children to school. I am conscious that buying textbooks is a significant cost for parents, and for this reason my Department provides a book grant to all recognised primary and post primary schools within the Free Education Scheme in order to provide assistance for books, including Book Rental Schemes. Under this scheme, my Department provided funding of €18.2 million in 2022 to all of these schools. Schools participating in my Department’s DEIS Programme receive an enhanced rate of book grant.

School book rental schemes have an important role to play in reducing the cost of school books for parents and guardians. In order to support the establishment of book rental schemes my Department provided €15.7 million seed capital in 2014, 2015 and 2016 to all primary schools. From the information available to my Department currently, approximately 96% of all primary schools and 69% of all post-primary schools operate a book rental scheme.

Schools are expected to adopt a cost-conscious approach to the selection of books for use in their classes. Apart from a small number of prescribed texts at post-primary level, determined by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), the decisions on which textbooks, programmes and resources, if any, to use in primary and post-primary schools are taken at school level.

Members of the Irish Educational Publishers’ Association (IEPA) subscribe to a Code of Practice which includes an agreement that publishers will not revise any texts within at least four years - unless there is a change in the curriculum, the state examination or methods of assessment, or if there is a recognised teacher-led demand to do so.

It is a matter for the Board of Management of each individual school to decide on its own policy in relation to the use of book grant funding in the school. The current arrangement relies on the local knowledge of the school in order to ensure a fair allocation of funds to those students most in need.

The Education (Student and Parent Charter) Bill is currently before Dáil Éireann. When enacted, it will improve how schools engage with students and their parents by requiring each school to consult with students and their parents on individual school plans, policies and activities, including school costs. This will help ensure that the various views of students and parents will be heard and responded to by schools.

School Facilities

Questions (236)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

236. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if there are plans to increase funding for school libraries and the provision of qualified school librarians; if there are plans to expand the junior certificate schools programme demonstration library project beyond the current 30 schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45276/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

My aim for Budget 2023 is to continue to deliver on the priorities outlined in the Programme for Government and to continue to support the students, staff, and families in the education sector.

In the lead up to the Budget, my Department receives a number of pre-budget submissions from a number stakeholders in the education sector and from organisations involved in other areas of public policy. As in previous years, relevant submissions continue to be reviewed and they will inform the specific budgetary priorities that I will be seeking to achieve in Budget 2023.

The library project referred to is the Junior Cycle Schools Programme (JCSP) Demonstration Library Project. A review of the JCSP is underway. Schools that currently offer the JCSP have been advised that they may continue to do so. While the review is ongoing, no new applications are currently being accepted from schools for entry to the JCSP.

Under the Programme for Government my Department was tasked with the development of a successor Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy Strategy. The strategy will be informed by robust research to include consideration of national and international practice, by extensive stakeholder engagement and public consultation. It is intended that the new strategy would be published in 2023 and will run for ten years. This strategy will set the vision for the coming 10 years with recommendations/ actions to improve literacy and numeracy levels from early years to post-primary level.

School Transport

Questions (237)

Jennifer Whitmore

Question:

237. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education the efforts that her Department is making to address the delay in issuing of school transport passes to families awaiting a decision on their application; the reason for the delays in issuing tickets to families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45278/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

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.

Already 124,000 tickets for the 2022/2023 school year have been issued to applicants for the new school year. To date, circa 20,400 additional places have been created for children for the 2022/2023 school year.

Bus Éireann will continue 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.

Bus Éireann is continuing to work through remaining applications and families will be contacted as further information is available. However, regrettably the unprecedented numbers of new applications for the upcoming school year, has led to some delays in issuing tickets.

Given the unprecedented demand for school transport for the upcoming school year there has been an increased volume of calls to both the dedicated Bus Éireann Customer Care Centre and to School Transport Section of my Department.

The Department has agreed to additional resources to facilitate additional staff in the customer care centre with a view to alleviating the waiting and call answer times.

In addition, resources are being redeployed within the Department to assist with the increased volume of calls and queries being received.

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 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.

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.

It is very important for families to note that the application deadline for 2022/23 was 29 April 2022, and that the deadline to confirm registration for tickets was 29 July 2022. Any application completed after this date is a ‘late application’ and therefore, many school transport services are already operating at full capacity. Late applications will only be assessed after all “on time” applications have been processed and there can be no guarantee of places for late applicants. “

School Transport

Questions (238)

Niall Collins

Question:

238. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Education if a pupil (details supplied) can avail of school transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45289/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

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.

Bus Éireann are processing applications and issuing 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 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 as the existing service is operating to capacity.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (239)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Question:

239. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Education if she intends to reverse the cuts which cease substitution cover arrangements for short-term Covid-19 absences of teachers and SNAs in primary schools. [45296/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department’s Circular Letter 0038/2022 details the current COVID-19 working arrangements for teachers and SNAs employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary schools. This Circular is based on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s (DPER’s) ‘Guidance and FAQs for Public Service Employers during COVID-19 in relation to Special Leave with Pay for COVID-19.

Based on HSE advice, a person who begins to display COVID-19 symptoms or who has received a positive antigen/PCR test result must self-isolate and cannot attend the workplace. On this basis, COVID-19 Special Leave With Pay is available to a teacher or SNA who (a) begins to display COVID-19 symptoms or (b) receives a positive COVID-19 PCR/antigen test result. The current entitlement is 7 consecutive days in any one instance, which is the current HSE stated self-isolation period. Where a teacher or SNA has been granted COVID-19 Special Leave With Pay, the employer may appoint a substitute, paid by my Department. The terms and conditions of the Sick Leave Scheme will apply where a teacher or SNA remains medically unfit for work immediately after the 7-day Special Leave With Pay period.

There are no other circumstances relating to COVID-19, where a teacher or SNA is required to absent themselves from the workplace. The arrangements relating to the application of COVID-19 Special Leave With Pay are temporary and will be kept under regular review by DPER.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (240)

Ged Nash

Question:

240. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education if she plans to reintroduce the extended Covid leave for school staff who cannot attend work as a consequence of long-Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45297/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

On 27th May 2022, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) published updated ‘Guidance and FAQs for Public Service Employers during COVID-19 in relation to Special Leave with Pay for COVID-19 ‘. The DPER Guidance and FAQs apply to all civil and public service employees. My Department’s Circular Letter 0038/2022 titled ‘COVID-19: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Updated Working Arrangements for Teachers and Special Needs Assistants employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary schools’ published on 8th June 2022 reflects this DPER directive.

From 1st July 2022, the COVID-19 Special Leave with Pay entitlement for school employees is 7 consecutive days in any one instance, which is the current HSE stated self-isolation period. The terms and conditions of the Sick Leave Scheme will apply where an employee remains medically unfit for work immediately after the 7-day Special Leave With Pay period. From 1st July 2022, an employee already absent on extended COVID-19 Special Leave With Pay (28 continuous days or more) and who remains medically unfit for work from that date, the terms and conditions of the Sick Leave Scheme will apply.

The arrangements relating to the application of COVID-19 Special Leave With Pay are temporary and will be kept under regular review by DPER.

School Transport

Questions (241)

Richard O'Donoghue

Question:

241. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the upset that the bus waiver has caused families given that some students are without a service due to the fact that there are no buses available to serve the routes, yet tickets have been issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45299/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

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.

I recognise how important the School Transport Scheme is to families, already 124,000 tickets for the 2022/2023 school year have been issued to applicants for the new school year. To date, circa 20,400 additional places have been created for children for the 2022/2023 school year.

Bus Éireann will continue 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. However, regrettably the unprecedented numbers of new applications for the upcoming school year, has led to some delays in issuing tickets.

Bus Éireann is continuing to work through remaining applications and families will be contacted as further information is available.

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 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.

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.

It is very important for families to note that the application deadline for 2022/23 was 29 April 2022, and that the deadline to confirm registration for tickets was 29 July 2022. Any application completed after this date is a ‘late application’ and therefore, many school transport services are already operating at full capacity. Late applications will only be assessed after all “on time” applications have been processed and there can be no guarantee of places for late applicants. “

Departmental Staff

Questions (242)

Denis Naughten

Question:

242. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education the number of persons within her Department who received the special leave with pay for Covid-19 up to 1 July 2022; the number of workers who have availed of this payment for an extended period of 12 weeks or more; the number of persons who availed of the special leave with pay for COVID-19 since 1 July 2022; the number of such persons who have been in receipt of this payment in excess of 14 days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45314/22]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached tabular statement.

Special leave with pay (SLWP) for COVID-19 – Department of Education

Details	Number of persons

COVID-19 SLWP received up to and including 30th June 2022	592

COVID-19 SLWP taken in excess of 12 weeks	0

COVID-19 SLWP received since 1st July 2022	73

COVID-19 SLWP taken in excess of 14 days since 1st July 2022	0

Special Educational Needs

Questions (243)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

243. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education the number of special education classes in place in Dublin Mid-West, both current and those due; the number of requests for increased capacity; the timeline for delivery of same; and the remaining level of unmet need, broken down by school in tabular form. [45329/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education (Deputy Josepha Madigan)

I 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 special classes for the 22/23 school year is available on the NCSE website at the link below.

06Jul22_Special-Classes-for-publication-2022_2023.pdf (ncse.ie)

I also acknowledge that notwithstanding the extent of this investment, there are some parts of the country where increases in population and other issues have led to concerns regarding a shortage of school places.

I can confirm that the NCSE is aware of an identified need for additional special classes for students with autism in primary and post-primary schools. Work has been underway with stakeholders for a number of years in this area to meet the demand for places.

NCSE has well established structures in place for engaging with schools and parents and seeks to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all children who have been identified as needing special class placements.

NCSE is continuing to engage with schools regarding the establishment of additional special classes for 2022/23 and beyond. Every support will be made available to schools to progress the opening of special classes in the shortest possible timeframe .

It is of course open to any school to engage with the NCSE to establish a special class.

My Department is committed, in conjunction with the NCSE, to continue to work with parents, schools, patrons and all stakeholders to ensure that there are sufficient appropriate places for students with additional needs and to support all students to achieve their potential.

I want to reassure you also that my Department will continue to support the NCSE and schools through the provision of the necessary funding and capital investment to ensure all children are successful in accessing an education.

Schools Building Projects

Questions (244)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

244. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the new build for a school (details supplied), including timelines for planning, tender, commencement and completion. [45330/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Education

The permanent building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department's Design and Build programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.

An application for planning permission for a 1,000 pupil post-primary school building, including 4 classrooms for pupils with special educational needs, was submitted to the relevant Local Authority in June 2021. The Grant of Planning decision was received from the Local Authority on 24th February 2022.

The next step in the progression of this project is the preparation of tender documentation. Once this stage is complete, the project will then proceed to tender stage. It is intended that the project will be included in the next bundle of projects to proceed to tender later this year.

School Transport

Questions (245)

Brendan Smith

Question:

245. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that additional bus capacity is put in place without delay for the school transport service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45339/22]