Written Answers Nos. 276-295
276. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Education if an update is available on the urgent repairs required to the roof at a school (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41468/23]
View answerThe school to which the Deputy refers applied for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Scheme to carry out roof works to the school building. The works were deemed to be outside the scope of the scheme and the school was requested to submit a reduced scope of works.
The revised scope of works has been approved and the Principal has been informed of this decision.
277. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education what action her Department is taking to ensure that all pupils who require school transport at both primary and post-primary level are facilitated in view that school transport is an essential service for families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41486/23]
View answerThe 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 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the start of the 2022/2023 school 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.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who complete the application and payment process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
In addition, temporary alleviation measures will continue for the 2023/24 school year, pending completion of the school transport scheme review. This means that transport will be provided where such services are in operation and there is capacity to do so, for concessionary post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who apply and pay on time.
A review of the School Transport Scheme is nearing completion. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
The final report of the review will include recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme. Once approved by Government, it is planned that the review will be published.
278. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the review of the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41487/23]
View answerThe 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 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the beginning of the 2022/2023 school year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
The School Transport Scheme is an important service for families and children.
The purpose of the Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
A review of the School Transport Scheme is nearing completion. The review is being conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness and sustainability, and to ensure that it serves students and their families adequately.
The final report of the review will include recommendations on the future operation of the Department’s School Transport Scheme. Once approved by Government, it is planned that the review will be published.
279. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education to set out in tabular form the number of pupils in Cork who applied for school transport under the primary school transport scheme for 2023/2024, who are regarded as concessionary and who have been refused school transport for the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41488/23]
View answer280. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education to set out in tabular form the number of pupils in Cork who applied for school transport under the post-primary school transport scheme for 2023/2024, who are regarded as concessionary and who have been refused school transport for the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41489/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 279 and 280 together.
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.
There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.
The purpose of the school transport scheme is to provide transport to pupils who qualify under the eligibility criteria of the scheme.
In relation to the Deputy's request for pupils in Cork who applied for school transport under the primary and post-primary school transport scheme for 2023/2024, who are regarded as concessionary and who have been refused school transport for the coming year; it is not possible to provide this information in the manner requested by the Deputy, as Bus Éireann continue to issue tickets to families where capacity is available.
Bus Éireann have advised however that in Cork they have issued 13,059 tickets to eligible pupils and 4,602 tickets to concessionary pupils to date at primary and post primary level for the 2023/24 school year.
281. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education what action her Department is taking to assist families who are regarded as concessionary under the current school transport scheme and who have not been awarded tickets for this coming year (details supplied), taking into account that these families rely solely on the school bus to take their children to/from school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41490/23]
View answerThe 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 in the last 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.
Already over 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 7% 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 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.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who completed the application process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Under the terms of the scheme, the availability of concessionary transport varies from year to year based on the capacity on the buses running on all of the various routes and the number of eligible children accommodated on each route.
Bus Éireann have advised that there are four services currently operating to the school referred to by the Deputy. These services cater for 164 pupils inclusive of eligible, concessionary and concessionary TAM (Temporary Alleviation Measure) applicants.
282. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Education when tickets for school transport will issue to a child (details supplied) who has no other means of getting to school, and who applied and paid for their annual school bus tickets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41505/23]
View answerThe 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.
The pupil to who the Deputy refers is eligible for transport.
Bus Éireann has advised that a late application for school transport was submitted by this family in respect of the 2023/24 school year and the Bus Éireann Local Office is currently working though these applications.
Bus Éireann has also confirmed that an update will be provided directly to the family in due course.
283. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education when she expects to roll-out a retrofit scheme for schools, including a provision for the installation of solar panels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41511/23]
View answerMy Department has a strong record with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in design and specification.
My Department’s approach to the decarbonisation of the school sector is predicated on establishing a credible phased pathway to zero emissions, and meeting 2030 public sector targets through an evidence based approach, informed by the Department’s Energy Research Programme which has been in place from 1997 with over 54 different research strands.
There has been a strong early focus on energy efficiency in the school sector. In 2009 my Department provided 100% funding for a school sector insulation scheme. This programme enabled all schools to apply for 100% funding to upgrade the fabric insulation in their school buildings with the focus on cavity wall and attic insulation.
An enhanced water conservation scheme for the school sector was completed in 2010 via a 100% funded programme of works that saw existing school buildings improving hot and cold water conservation and reducing costs in use.
Since 2009, schools designed and built in accordance with the Department’s schools technical guidance documents have achieved A3 Building Energy Ratings.
Current schools typically achieve up to 20% higher energy performance and 25% better carbon performance than required by Building Regulations.
In addition, 10% of primary energy in these schools is provided via solar photovoltaic panels. Electric vehicle charging infrastructure is also provided.
The National Development Plan 2021-2030 published on 4th Oct 2021, provides capital funding of over €4.4bn for investment in school infrastructure during the period 2021 to 2025. There continues to be a strong Climate Action dimension to this modernisation programme.
My Department and the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications have developed a jointly funded school sector decarbonisation pathfinder programme. It is administered by the Planning and Building Unit in my Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland in partnership with devolved delivery support from Limerick and Clare Education Training Board.
This Pathfinder programme is paving the way for, and informing, a much larger national decarbonisation school sector programme.
The budget for the pathfinder programme of works from 2017 to 2023 is circa €110 million.
This pathfinder is a great example of collaboration ensuring the deployment of new design approaches and technologies are introduced to the school sector on an evidence based approach. This programme continues to assist my Department to explore options and test various solutions for decarbonised energy efficiency solutions in our broad range of school building types.
It is facilitating research on a range of typical retrofit options for schools, which will be tried and tested. It is providing valuable development information for a solution driven delivery strategy which will be founded on a solid evidence base that has proven the robustness and scalability of renewable solutions within the school sector.
Each school undergoes a comprehensive assessment to ensure that the measures are suitable for that school and will deliver value to both the school and learnings for the national retrofit programme.
The works typically involves upgrades to the building fabric including wall and roof insulation, doors and windows, air tightness improvements, LED lighting and heating upgrades as well as renewable technologies.
This pathfinder programme has completed work to date in 49 schools across Ireland.
Work is progressing in an additional 15 schools.
A Building Energy Rating (BER) of B is the targeted energy rating for these schools.
The pathfinder is paving the way for, and informing a larger schools national programme for the energy retrofit of schools and will play a key part of meeting delivery of the Climate Action Plan.
The next step in relation to the decarbonisation pathfinder programme as detailed in Climate Action Plan 2023 is to create an accurate scalable model for resourcing and delivery for the school sector. This will include an initial pilot to test the national delivery model processes and procedures, this will commence in 2024.
The 2023/24 Pathfinder is jointly funded with a targeted budget of €50 million from the Department of Education and Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) and the Department of Education with delivery support from Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board.
In addition, Budget 2023 provided for the provision of funding from the Climate Action Fund in relation to the provision of Photovoltaic Panels in schools up to 6KW output.
This is really positive news for our schools and will assist with their energy needs and costs along with supporting the decarbonisation of our school buildings.
My Department's Officials are working closely with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications colleagues in relation to the arrangements for this scheme and details will be announced in due course.
It is intended the provision of the solar panels will be fully funded for schools.
284. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she will urgently fast-track, on health and safety grounds, the application made by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41521/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy, that my Department is in receipt of an application for capital funding, under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) scheme from the school in question for special class accommodation.
The purpose of the Additional Schools Accommodation (ASA) scheme is to ensure that essential mainstream and special education classroom accommodation is available to cater for pupils enrolled each year and where the need cannot be met by the school’s existing accommodation.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department is working to ensure that there is appropriate school accommodation in place to meet the school place needs of all children. In the first instance, this is focused on ensuring that the use of existing school accommodation capacity is fully optimised. Where additional capacity is required this can be provided by means of modular accommodation where accelerated delivery is required, or by means of traditional construction projects.
I can confirm that the school in question have applied for funding for replacement of a prefab. The application is currently being assessed. Once the assessment has been complete a decision will issue directly to the School Authorities.
285. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Education if she can provide a status update on the application for teaching council registration made by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41522/23]
View answerThe Teaching Council is the competent authority for the recognition of qualifications for those who qualified as teachers outside of Ireland. The Teaching Council adheres to the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015, the Teaching Council Registration Regulations (2016) and in its role as a competent authority, it operates in accordance with the EU Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive (2005/36/EU as amended). As a statutory professional standards body, the Teaching Council is required by law to properly determine and to authenticate the relevant standards and qualifications of all applicants for registration.
Fully qualified teachers are eligible to apply for registration with the Teaching Council. The Council registers teachers under four Routes of Registration; Route 1 Primary, Route 2 Post-primary, Route 3 Further Education and Route 4 Other.
It should be noted that the Department under statute has no direct role in individual applications and in all cases applicants should engage to the fullest extent with the Council.
In this instance, the Teaching Council has advised that the person referred to in the Deputy's question submitted an application for registration in July 2023.
Everyone who works with children and vulnerable people is legally required to be vetted by the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons Acts 2012 to 2016) and as such vetting is a requirement for all teachers applying for registration with the Council. Applicants for registration who have lived overseas for a cumulative period of 12 months or more after the age of 18 must provide a photocopy of police clearance for each country in which they have resided. These clearance certificates must cover the entire period of residence in each country.
The person referred to was advised by email from the Teaching Council in August 2023 that police clearance from their previous country of residence is required to complete the vetting process. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the required information to the Council.
The Teaching Council has also advised that the application for registration of the person referred to will be prioritised as soon as vetting is fully completed.
286. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education how many school bus tickets applications were declined in County Wexford for the academic year 2023/2024 compared to the previous 2022/2023 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41524/23]
View answer287. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 629 of 11 September 2023, the total number of school transport applications deemed as concessionary applications in County Wexford for the 2023/2024 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41525/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 287 together.
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.
There has been an overall increase in both applications and tickets issued for the 2023/2024 school year in comparison to the 2022/2023 school year.
The purpose of the school transport scheme is to provide transport to pupils who qualify under the eligibility criteria of the scheme.
In relation to the Deputy's request for the total number of school transport applications deemed as concessionary applications in County Wexford and the number of school bus tickets applications that were declined in County Wexford for the academic year 2023/2024 compared to the previous 2022/2023 academic year; it is not possible to provide this information in the manner requested by the Deputy, as Bus Éireann continue to issue tickets to families where capacity is available.
Bus Éireann have advised however, that in Wexford they have issued 4,615 tickets to eligible pupils and 2,471 tickets to concessionary pupils to date at primary and post primary level for the 2023/24 school year to date. In comparison, 4,534 tickets issued to eligible pupils and 2,471 tickets issued to concessionary pupils in the 2022/23 school year.
288. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Education to clarify who is eligible as a TAM (Temporary Alleviation Measure) pupil under the school transport scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41526/23]
View answerThe 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 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the beginning of the 2022/2023 school year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
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.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application and payment process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport, but who complete the application and payment process on time, will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Temporary alleviation measures (TAMS) will continue for the 2023/24 school year, pending completion of the school transport scheme review. This means that transport will be provided where such services are in operation, and where capacity exists for concessionary post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who apply and pay on time. Pupils availing of TAMS are still considered concessionary pupils as they are not attending their nearest school.
289. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education the number of Bills prepared by her Department in the 33rd Dáil to date; the number and title of those Bills that included a Regulatory Impact Assessment; the title of the RIAs published by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41586/23]
View answerTwo Bills have been prepared by the Department of Education in the 33rd Dáil to date:
• Education (Leaving Certificate Examinations) (Accredited Grades) Act 2021
• Education (Provision in Respect of Children with Special Educational Needs) Act 2022
Due to the urgent nature of the legislation in both cases, a Regulatory Impact Assessment was not undertaken.
290. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Education if she will make a statement on varying admissions criteria for primary and secondary schools. [41615/23]
View answerIn relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998 and the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018. My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in that area.
Under the provisions of the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, all schools have admissions policies, which have been approved by the patron, following consultation with staff and parents of children who are attending the school. The school’s admissions policy is published on the schools website. It is a key requirement of the act that all school admission policies are fair and transparent.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process will be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
The act requires schools to clearly set out their selection criteria in their admission policies. Schools have discretion in relation to their admission criteria and how they are applied. The criteria to be applied by schools and the order of priority are a matter for the schools themselves. My Department does not seek to intervene in the selection criterion that is applied by schools.
291. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of school transport for a school pupil (details supplied). [41625/23]
View answerThe 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.
Bus Éireann has advised that a late application for school transport was submitted by this family in respect of the 2023/24 school year and the Bus Éireann Local Office is currently working though these applications.
The pupil is eligible for school transport and Bus Éireann will be in direct contact with the family when an update is available.
292. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of school transport for a school pupil (details supplied). [41626/23]
View answerThe 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 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the beginning of the 2022/2023 school year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
The Post Primary School Transport Scheme supports the transport to and from school of children who reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post-primary education centre/school.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport can only be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Under the terms of the scheme, routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis.
Bus Éireann have confirmed that the pupil referred to by the Deputy is eligible for transport but payment/medical card details were not entered before the deadline date and the service is currently operating to capacity, with no seats available.
293. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of school transport for a school pupil (details supplied). [41627/23]
View answerThe 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 133,000 tickets have issued for the 2023/2024 school year which is an increase of 12% when compared with the beginning of the 2022/2023 school year. This number of tickets has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year.
Bus Éireann has advised that there is currently no application on the system for the child to which the Deputy refers.
If families have any queries, Bus Éireann has a dedicated customer care call centre: LoCall 0818 919 910 which operates from 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Families can also submit queries via the 'contact form' which can be found on our website (buseireann.ie/schooltransport).
294. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of school transport for a school pupil (details supplied). [41628/23]
View answerThe 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.
The Post Primary School Transport Scheme supports the transport to and from school of children who reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post-primary education centre/school.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated.
Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Under the terms of the scheme, routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis.
The family to whom the Deputy refers are not eligible for transport as they are attending their 3rd nearest Post Primary Centre.
An application and payment was received on time for this family for the 2023/24 school year however they were unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat for the 2023/24 school year and the existing service is currently operating to capacity.
295. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the status of school transport for a school pupil (details supplied). [41629/23]
View answerThe 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.
The Post Primary School Transport Scheme supports the transport to and from school of children who reside not less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post-primary education centre/school.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated.
Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Under the terms of the scheme, routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children travelling on a concessionary basis.
The family to whom the Deputy refers are not eligible for transport as they are attending their 3rd nearest Post Primary Centre.
An application and payment was received on time for this family for the 2023/24 school year however they were unsuccessful in obtaining a concessionary seat for the 2023/24 school year and the existing service is currently operating to capacity.
