Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
795. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure a child (details supplied) will be allocated a seat on their local school bus as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1981/23]
View answerThe 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.
Bus Éireann has advised that the child referred to is eligible under the terms of the school transport scheme. However no ticket request has been received for this pupil for the 2022/23 school year. The existing school transport service is currently operating to capacity and there are no seats available at present.
