Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 April 2024
37. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education the reason a child (details supplied) is unable to access school transport when capacity is available; if this case will be considered further; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16791/24]
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 have advised that the pupil is eligible for transport under the terms of the Post-Primary Transport Scheme and once the family complete the payment process by the closing date of 07 June 2024 they will be offered transport in line with the terms of the mainstream scheme for the 2024/25 school year.
In relation to the current school year, the Bus Eireann has advised that while the family applied for school transport, this was completed after the closing date and the application was a late application.
There is a requirement to close the current year application process in order to facilitate new applications for the upcoming school year, so that Bus Éireann can plan and organise routes to capacity for the upcoming school year following the closing date of 07 June 2024.
