Duncan Smith
Question:141. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Education for an update regarding the provision of a bus from Swords to a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50318/23]
View answerThursday, 16 November 2023
Questions (141)
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.
Over 134,000 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. The number of tickets issued so far has already exceeded the total number of tickets issued in the 2022/23 school year. 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.
Under the current terms of the scheme, pupils at primary level are eligible where they live no less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest primary school. At post primary level, students who live no less than 4.8 kilometres from and are attending their nearest post primary school/education centre are deemed eligible. Any pupils/students who do not meet these criteria are deemed not eligible, or otherwise known as concessionary applicants, and are allocated a ticket based on the availability of a seat when all eligible children have been catered for.
At Post Primary level, eligibility for school transport is to the nearest education centre/school, subject to limited exceptions. The scheme has regard to ethos and language in that exceptions to eligibility for the scheme are considered in the case of minority religions and the Irish language.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality as determined by Bus Éireann, is required before consideration can be given to the establishment of a school transport service.
Bus Éireann have advised that generally pupils residing in the Swords area are not eligible for transport to the school mentioned by the Deputy as they reside to nearer schools and are attending their 3rd or 4th nearest school. The nearest Post Primary School teaching through the medium of Irish is Gaelcholáiste Reachrann, Donaghmede, Dublin 13 (RN: 76085N), second nearest is Scoil Chaitriona, Glasnevin, Dublin 9 (RN: 60700R) and third nearest is Colaiste Ghlor Na Mara, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin (RN: 68082L).