Seán Sherlock
Question:275. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education if she will advise a family (details supplied) on a school transport matter. [41465/23]
View answerTuesday, 26 September 2023
Questions (275)
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. 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.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.
Bus Éireann has advised that the route referred to by the Deputy is not operating at present due to a driver resource issue. Once this issue has been resolved, the service will commence.
The Department has sanctioned an Exceptional Interim Grant to assist with the cost of alternative arrangements for the duration to the family referred until they have been accommodated on a school transport service. The family have been contacted by email in this regard.