Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
512. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Education if school transport can be provided to a pupil (details supplied) from a safer pick-up point in the village; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27455/23]
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 149,000 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.
There has been an increase of 21% in tickets issued to eligible students and 38% increase in tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the current 2022/23 school year compared to the 2021/22 school year.
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.
Under the terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for school transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms from and are attending their nearest Primary School as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language.
Bus Éireann have advised that the child, to whom the Deputy refers, is eligible for school transport and resides 3.7kms from home to the current pick-up point.
The local Bus Éireann office are in the process of reviewing this route for the 23/24 school year and if an extension to the service is possible the family will be contacted by Bus Éireann. If an extension is not possible the family may be entitled to the Remote Area Grant to the pick-up point as the distance is greater than 3.2kms.
Regarding the existing pickup point, Bus Éireann have confirmed the pick up point is not considered to be any more dangerous than other pickup points in use throughout the country. There is an onus of responsibility on parents/guardians to arrange to bring their children to and from the pickup point of a school bus service, taking whatever safety precautions they consider sufficient in doing so, and accompanying the children to ensure their safety, as necessary.
