Robert Troy
Question:363. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if a school bus ticket will be issued to a person (details supplied). [48056/22]
View answerTuesday, 4 October 2022
Questions (363)
Written answers
School 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.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible for transport as they are attending their nearest school.
There is an existing service available to accommodate this pupil and a ticket was sent to this pupil, however, it appears this ticket has not been received by the family and has been re-issued on 28/09/2022 and should be received shortly.