Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
481. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the basis on which an applicant (details supplied) for school transport has been notified that there is no school transport service available from their home for their child. [27185/23]
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 5,400 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.
Bus Éireann has advised that the family referred to by the Deputy are eligible for school transport, however there is no service available from where these pupils reside to the schools they are attending.
Children who are eligible for school transport but for whom no service is available may be offered the Remote Area Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. Further information in relation to grant payments can be found at: gov.ie/schooltransport.
Families who are eligible for Remote Area Grant payment will be contacted directly by School Transport Section towards the end of the relevant school year. Families can address any queries they may have to school_transport@education.gov.ie where officials in School Transport Section will be happy to assist.
