Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2022
409. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education if all outstanding monies for school bus tickets have been refunded by Bus Éireann in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57901/22]
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.
Bus Éireann have confirmed that refunds have issued to all families who paid for transport for the current school year, prior to the announcement that fees would be waived.
If families have any queries in relation to refunds, they can contact their local Bus Éireann office directly, contact details can be found at: www.buseireann.ie by clicking on 'contact your local school transport provider'.
