Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
247. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Education if school transport will be provided between schools (details supplied); the current position in relation to the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50888/23]
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.
Bus Éireann has advised that the service referred to by the Deputy is currently in the procurement process and once a suitable contractor/driver is sourced transport will commence. Bus Éireann will contact families directly.
