Michael Healy-Rae
Question:603. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education the status of a bus escort for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37422/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
Questions (603)
Written answers
The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/2023 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 was an increase of 21% in tickets issued to eligible students and an increase of 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 were provided for over 5,400 children who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine.
The total cost of the scheme in 2022 was €338.9m.
Already over 132,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the same time last year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
In relation to the request for an escort to accompany the pupil to whom the Deputy refers, I am pleased to advise that sanction has issued to the School Authority to appoint an escort to commence on the service with the pupil for the current school year.