Thomas Gould
Question:73. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education for an update on the provision of school transport to a school (details supplied) and students in Glenville attending schools in Fermoy. [6392/24]
View answerTuesday, 13 February 2024
Questions (73)
Written answers
The 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.
Under the current terms of the scheme, 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. Any children 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.
A minimum number of 10 eligible children residing in a distinct locality, as determined by Bus Éireann, are required before consideration may be given to the establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Bus Éireann, will review all existing school transport services once all on time new applications and payments have been received. This usually takes place following the payment closing date which was 09 June 2023 for the 2023/2024 school year. Arising from this review, routes may be altered, extended or withdrawn depending on the number and location of eligible children who will be availing of school transport for the following school year.Undoubtedly, the School Transport Scheme is of huge importance to families, as you are aware 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. Considering how to best maximise the benefits now and into the future has been a significant factor in the ongoing review of the Scheme which commenced in February 2021.Following phase 1 of the review, Temporary Alleviation Measures (TAMS) were introduced at post-primary level and are being continued for the current school year. Under these measures, which were initially introduced in 2019, transport is provided where there is a route in operation and where capacity exists for concessionary post-primary pupils who are eligible for transport to their nearest school and are attending their second nearest school and who applied and paid on time.
It is planned to present the report and recommendations of the School Transport Review to a cabinet subcommittee in coming weeks, and subject to government approval, the outcome of the review will be published.
In relation to the specific area raised by the Deputy. Bus Eireann has advised that families residing in Glenville that are attending Fermoy Post Primary Centre are generally concessionary attending their fourth and fifth closest school. Bus Éireann has further advised that there are four services operating to the school advised by the Deputy and all services in the area are operating to capacity.
All eligible pupils who applied and paid on time are now facilitated on school transport services in the area, while many concessionary pupils have also been facilitated. In addition, The Department of Education requested that Bus Éireann to assess whether the reorganisation of routes, additional runs or other additional capacity could be sourced to facilitate additional children, one such route was extended in October for families residing in Glenville. As always the priority is to provide transport for those eligible for the scheme and is subject to availability of contractor vehicle/driver resources.
The total number of tickets issued in Cork for the 2023/2024 school year is over 18,000 which is approximately a 6% increase on tickets issued for the 2022/2023 school year.
Question No. 74 answered orally.