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School Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018

Tuesday, 6 November 2018

Ceisteanna (325)

John Brassil

Ceist:

325. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will sanction funding through the NTA initially on a pilot basis for the provision of a school bus service to schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45217/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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. School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of my 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 eligible for school transport if they satisfy the distance criterion and are attending their nearest school.

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 establishment or retention of school transport services, provided this can be done within reasonable cost limits.

Families of eligible children, for whom there is no school transport service available, are eligible for the remote area grant towards the cost of making private transport arrangements.

It is not within my remit to sanction funding to the organisation referred to by the Deputy under the School Transport Scheme.

The terms of the scheme are applied equitably on a national basis.

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