Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2024
318. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Education the timeline for the removal of the nearest school rule in relation to the school transport scheme; if she will consider early removal of the rule, or a pilot removal, for a school (details supplied) that has a substantial student base residing in Westport, County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10609/24]
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 traveling 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 €382.02 million.
As the Deputy is aware, a review of the School Transport Scheme has been completed. This review was 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 School Transport Scheme 2030 report has now been published, and includes the main actions that have been planned for the 2024/25 school year. Some of the actions outlined in the report are:
Continue criteria for Temporary Alleviation Measures at post-primary level and primary level and regularise for the 2025/2026 school year.
Implement aspects of the review in pilots.
Commence planning for the 2025/2026 school year to provide for additionally on the scheme under revised scheme eligibility criteria of reduced distance criteria and removal of nearest school criteria.
It is proposed that the implementation plan will be reviewed at the end of 2024 with a view to making recommendations for the next implementation plan, with a view to full implementation by the year 2030.
A phased implementation of the Review’s recommendations for increased eligibility, pursued in conjunction with a concerted collaborative effort between the Department of Education and the Department of Transport to pilot and introduce greater integration of the rollout of rural transport networks with routes to school, is likely to provide the best opportunity to achieve that overall trajectory while reducing the reliance over time on dedicated transport provision for school journeys.
The pilot projects will provide a valuable insight on the impact on the scheme of increased demand, the possibilities to integrate public transport services with school transport services and the possibilities to facilitate more sustainable modes of transport.
Details for the proposed pilot projects are being finalised and there will be further information available shortly.
Families residing in the pilot scheme areas will be communicated with separately in regard to the pilot schemes, how they should apply and to inform them what the changes will mean for them for the 2024/2025 school year.
