Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2017
342. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the potential impact of the Bus Éireann industrial dispute on access to school transport for students; the alternative measures being explored to transport children to school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10469/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently over 115,000 children, including almost 12,000 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.
Bus Éireann has confirmed that more than 98% of the 115,000 children are accommodated on dedicated school transport services which are currently expected to run normally in the event of an industrial dispute.
An industrial dispute is likely to affect Bus Éireann’s public bus services on which the remaining children avail of school transport under the Scheme. In the circumstances, it may not be possible to put alternative measures in place for these children. However, Bus Éireann have been asked to examine the situation.
Bus Éireann School Transport Offices will arrange to send email notification to families affected in the event that disruption is likely to happen.
