Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
273. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Education if she will review proposals to establish a school bus transport service to support parents and pupils of a school (details supplied); if she will outline the guidelines to establish such a service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19302/23]
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 4,500 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kms from and are attending their nearest primary school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
For the 2022/2023 school year Bus Eireann received 12 applications for the school referred to by the Deputy. Four of these applications were from eligible families and the remaining eight families were deemed concessionary applications.
Bus Eireann consider the establishment of a route if at least 10 applications are received from eligible families from a distinct location before the application closing date. For the 2022/23 school year this requirement was not met and therefore, the establishment of a service could not be considered.
Families can apply for online at: buseireann.ie/schooltransport. The closing date for applications in respect of the 2023/2024 school year is 28th April 2023 and Bus Eireann will review applications and plan routes during the summer month for the upcoming school year.
