Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 September 2018
130. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the school transport situation in the Paulstown, Gowan and Goresbridge areas of County Kilkenny whereby a large number of students cannot avail of school transport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38956/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
In the 2017/18 school year over 117,000 children, including over 12,000 children with special educational needs, were 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.
Children are generally eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criteria and are attending their nearest school.
Children who are eligible for school transport and who have completed the application process on time will be accommodated on school transport services where such services are in operation for the 2018/19 school year.
Children who are not eligible for school transport may apply for transport on a concessionary basis only and will be facilitated where spare seats are available after eligible children have been accommodated. Where the number of ineligible children exceeds the number of spare seats available Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for the spare seats using an agreed selection process.
Under the terms of the scheme, routes will not be extended or altered, additional vehicles will not be introduced, nor will larger vehicles or extra trips using existing vehicles be provided to cater for children who are not eligible as no additional State cost will be incurred in covering the cost of providing school transport for children who are not eligible.
Bus Éireann has advised that all services from the areas referred to by the deputy are currently operating to capacity.
The terms of the School Transport Schemes are applied equitably on a national basis.
