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School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022

Thursday, 13 October 2022

Questions (246)

Michael Ring

Question:

246. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if she will clarify the seating capacity of a vehicle (details supplied) and the actual tickets issued for a school transport service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50769/22]

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Written answers

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 has advised that in order to accommodate all eligible children and pupils who meet the temporary alleviation criteria who applied and registered by the deadline date of 29th July 2022, that they sourced a medium size vehicle. However, a cover vehicle was required for a short period due to operational issues and a larger coach service was put in place on a temporary basis. This service has now reverted back to a medium size vehicle.

Bus Éireann has further advised that a seat has become available on this service and that it will be offered to the pupil referred to by the Deputy in his previous Parliamentary Question.

The Bus Éireann local office will communicate with the family in the coming days with regard to the issue of a ticket for the 2022/23 school year.

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