Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2022
179. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Education if a bus will be provided under the school transport scheme for pupils travelling from Swords, County Dublin to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47420/22]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, 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.
Under the terms of my Department's Post Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school as determined by my Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
In general children are eligible for school transport if they meet the distance criteria and are attending their nearest post primary school/post primary centre.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who complete the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Bus Éireann has advised pupils travelling from the area referred to by the Deputy are not attending their nearest school having regard to language and in this regard are not eligible for transport under the terms of the scheme.
