Niamh Smyth
Ceist:595. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a matter regarding a bus route will be reviewed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34753/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 July 2018
Ceisteanna (595)
Freagraí scríofa
School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently over 116,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in over 4,500 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually at a total cost of almost €190 million in 2017.
The purpose of my Department's School Transport Scheme is, having regard to available resources, to support the transport to and from school of children who reside remote from their nearest school.
Bus Éireann has advised that the pick-up point referred to by the Deputy has been assessed as being suitable as a pick-up point under the School Transport Scheme.
Parents are expected to make suitable arrangements to bring their children to and from the school bus, taking whatever safety precautions they may deem necessary to do so.
The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis.