School Transport

Tuesday, 12 December 2023

Questions (320, 321)

Joe Flaherty

Question:

320. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education when she intends to publish the findings of the review into the school transport programme. [54960/23]

View answer

321. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Education if, as part of the ongoing review of the school transport scheme, she will consider allowing the option of a third school for families living in rural Ireland. [54961/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Education

I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 321 together.

The School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the 2022/23 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.

Undoubtedly, the School Transport Scheme is of huge importance to families. A review of the scheme has been conducted with a view to examining the current scheme, its broader effectiveness, and sustainability and to ensure it services students and their families adequately. The scheme has been in operation for over 55 years, since its establishment in 1967, and this review is one of the most extensive investigations that has been carried out into the scheme since then.

The Technical Working Group and the Steering Group have recently completed their work on the final report of the review. This final report includes recommendations on the future operation of the scheme. The report has been submitted by the Steering Group for my consideration.

I am aware that this review is much-awaited, it is recognised that there are improvements which need to be made to the scheme and I know the importance of doing so. I expect to be in a position shortly to bring the review to Government, and further to Government approval, the review will be published.

Question No. 321 answered with Question No. 320.