Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
364. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education if there is any situation where a remote area school transport grant may be awarded for the 2023-2024 school year when the initial application for school transport was late; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34818/23]
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 an increase of 38% 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 my Department’s School Transport Scheme, children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2kms at primary and 4.8kms at post-primary and are attending their nearest 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 complete the application process on time are accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
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. The Remote Area Grant is also payable for eligible children who may have to travel 3.2kms or more to or from a designated pick up/set down point.
The closing date for receipt of applications for the 2023/2024 School Year was Friday 28th April 2023.
An eligible child for whom no transport service is available may, following an application for transport within the prescribed time limits, receive a Remote Area Grant towards the cost of private transport arrangements.
Applications for school transport for the 2023/2024 school year can still be made through the Bus Éireann school transport portal after this date but will be treated as a late application. Applications that are deemed late will not be considered for a remote area grant for that year.
Should the circumstances remain the same and there is no service in place for the 2024/25 school year, following a timely application, a family may be considered eligible for a remote area grant from the commencement of the 2024/25 school year.
