Michael Healy-Rae
Question:737. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education if the pick-up for school transport for a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63959/22]
View answerWednesday, 18 January 2023
Questions (737)
Written answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 147,900 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
In addition, school transport scheme services are being provided in the current school year for over 3,800 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €332.2m.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest school/education centre as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
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.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that this pupil is not eligible for transport as they are attending their second nearest primary school. However, an application for transport was received in Bus Éireann for a school transport service for this pupil for the 2022/23 School year and a concessionary school transport ticket issued to the pupil on 15th August 2022
Bus Éireann has also advised that the family referred to by the Deputy reside 2.5 km from home to the pick up point of the school transport service that they are accommodated on.