Mattie McGrath
Question:468. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education how parents can contact the school transport section in Bus Éireann (details supplied). [36339/23]
View answerTuesday, 25 July 2023
Questions (468)
Written answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/23 school year, over 149,000 children, including over 18,000 children with special educational needs, were 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% in tickets issued on a concessionary basis in the 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 €338.9 million.
Bus Éireann has put in place a dedicated customer care call centre and a ‘contact form’ on buseireann.ie/schooltransport to assist families specifically with School Transport queries during the busy summer period. Families that have queries can contact the call centre on: LoCall 0818 919 910. Operating hours are 09.00 – 17.00 Monday to Friday.
Bus Éireann advertised the details of the call centre and webform contact through their website and social media platforms. Details were also published on the Department’s website, information issued to all schools and education partners and in line with normal practice, was communicated to Oireachtas Members. Bus Éireann also have a dedicated email address for public representatives to contact them with any queries: representatives@buseireann.ie.
Bus Éireann have confirmed they have not received any reports of difficulties in contacting them from parents or public representatives. Officials in School Transport Section of my Department have contacted the Deputy directly to request further information, they can be contacted at school_transport@education.gov.ie where they will be happy to assist.
If families have queries relating to transport for children with special educational needs they can contact School Transport Section, Department of Education at: Email: school_transport@education.gov.ie Phone: 057 9325469 or 057 9325466.