Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 November 2023
145. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education if she will review an application for school transport for a student (details supplied); when a decision will be issued on this application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50379/23]
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.
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.
The Department of Education and Bus Éireann continue to provide School Transport Scheme services for children arriving to Ireland from Ukraine. Applications continue to be received on a daily basis as families are relocated or as new families arrive. Every effort is being made to ensure school transport services are up and running as they are required. It may in some cases take time to arrange services for families.
New applications for school transport for pupils residing in host family homes/independent living/pledged accommodation must be made by the parent/guardian directly.
A new application is if the child has:
• been enrolled for the first time in school
• moved schools
• moved accommodation
New applications for school transport can be made via a link to an online form which is available here:
public.flowforma.com/?token=OfHd8bEHNUjypR1J2ohyawPtOLA8xbJSVD02MsoVP7sPa83cAd
For pupils residing in host family homes/independent living/pledged accommodation, the normal eligibility criteria will not apply and eligibility will be granted to the school that the child/children are enrolled in provided that this is the closest school that has capacity for the pupil at the time of enrolment.
As seats are assigned to pupils, Bus Éireann will issue tickets to families. Children will be expected to meet the service at the existing pick-up point.
There will be no charge for the ticket.
In cases where there is no existing service or where there is no capacity on an existing service, a grant can be offered to the family as appropriate to support them with the cost of transport arrangements.
New applications for school transport for the 2023/2024 school year for the pupils residing in Accommodation Centres/Modular Builds/Group settings must be made by the school principals. School principals should complete the information required on an application form and return it to their local REALT co-ordinator. The information will be submitted by REALT to Bus Éireann in order to provide school transport services as required.
Bus Éireann has advised all services near the family referred to by the Deputy are currently full to capacity. The family will be offered a grant by School Transport Section to help towards the cost of transporting their child to/from school.
