Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
609. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education why second-level students (details supplied) are not provided with access to school transport services to access schools in Drogheda where the majority have enrolled in secondary schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18192/23]
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 €338.9m.
Children are eligible for transport at primary level where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school, and at post primary level where they reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary 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.
Temporary Alleviation Measures is a measure pending completion of the School Transport Scheme Review, which was initially introduced at post-primary level in 2019 and will be continued for the 2023/2024 school year. Under these measures, transport will be provided for post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who apply by the 28th April and pay for a ticket by the 9th June 2023.
Bus Eireann have advised that pupils residing in the area referred to by the Deputy are not eligible for transport to Drogheda Post Primary Centre as they reside nearer to the Dunleer Post Primary Centre.
