Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
268. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education to facilitate a school (details supplied) with the school bus they were promised to aid students travelling to a location from areas in the previous locality; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2381/24]
View answerThe School Transport Scheme is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 161,600 children, including over 135,000 pupils travelling on primary and post primary services, 19,800 pupils with special educational needs, and 6,800 pupils who have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country.
The total cost of the scheme in 2023 was €382.02m.
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.
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.
Bus Éireann has reported challenges in sourcing drivers and contractors in certain areas. This is against a backdrop of significant shortages of drivers in the labour market overall and competing demands for drivers to deliver additional public transport initiatives such as Connecting Ireland and Bus Connects/Local Link services.
Bus Éireann has advised that the service referred to by the Deputy is currently in the procurement process. Bus Éireann’s local office are in the process of sourcing a suitable contractor/driver. Once a suitable contractor/driver is sourced transport will commence, families will been informed in this regard.
Families can contact the Bus Éireann local office if they have any queries and can also submit queries via the ‘contact form’ which can be found on Bus Éireann's website (buseireann.ie/schooltransport)
The Department has established an “Exceptional No Service Interim Grant” to assist with the cost of private transport arrangements families may have to put in place until their service begins. The Department has contacted families directly in regard to this payment.
Funding is not provided to private bus contractors operating outside of the Department’s School Transport Scheme. Bus Éireann plans and manages the countrywide network on behalf of the Department to ensure that services are provided in line with the specific requirements of the Department. Bus Éireann is responsible for contracting private operators in line with procurement legislation and as part of this process, ensures the utmost safety standards are complied with.
Contractors who are interested in becoming a school transport provider can contact their local Bus Éireann office, further details can be found at: Becoming a School Transport Provider - Bus Éireann - View Ireland Bus and Coach Timetables & Buy Tickets (buseireann.ie)
