Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:148. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding for a school bus in County Kerry. [7727/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 15 February 2017
Ceisteanna (148)
Freagraí scríofa
School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my Department.
Currently in the region of 114,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Under the terms of my Department's Primary School Transport Scheme children are eligible for transport where they reside not less than 3.2 kilometres from and are attending their nearest national school as determined by the Department/Bus Éireann, having regard to ethos and language. 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 retention of a school transport service, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.
Decisions in relation to the retention or establishment of school transport services for the 2017/18 school year will be made when all applications submitted for school transport have been assessed and payments made. However, families should liaise with their local Bus Éireann office at 066 7164750 if they require additional information on school transport services.
In general, families of eligible children, for whom there is no school transport service available, will be paid the Remote Area Grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements. The terms of the Primary School Transport Scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.